In the EU, space heating accounts for the majority of domestic energy use

For healthy individuals, experiencing a wider range of temperatures than average–which can save on home energy costs– is associated with higher health satisfaction and a lower risk of cardiorespiratory conditions, according to a new study published July 22, 2020 in the open-access journal

PLOS ONE

by Dr. Harry Kennard of University College London, UK, and colleagues. However, for more vulnerable populations, a narrower range of temperature variety may be safer, the authors suggest.

In the EU, space heating accounts for the majority of domestic energy use, and a study found that decreasing home temperatures by 1°C could reduce C02 emissions by 13%. However, there is broad epidemiological data showing that low temperatures are associated with increased mortality; cold can exacerbate respiratory health conditions and increase blood pressure. Because of this risk, policies typically suggest a one-size-fits-all, narrow range of temperatures for domestic heating systems.

In the new study, researchers used data on 77,762 UK Biobank participants who each wore an activity and temperature monitor wristband for one week between June 2013 and December 2015. Temperature was studied in one-minute intervals and information on heath, health outcomes and health satisfaction was also available for participants.

After controlling for age, activity level, and obesity, the researchers showed that thermal variety–the standard deviation of temperature someone experiences–is 0.15°C (95% CI 0.07-0.23) higher for people whose health satisfaction is “extremely happy” compared to “extremely unhappy.” It is also higher for people who are younger and have lower body mass index. A model which linked health outcomes to the temperature found that the risk of winter mortality increased with age and body mass index. Moreover, the risk of having a condition associated with excess winter deaths decreased for each degree increase in thermal variety. The findings suggest a larger range of temperatures which are not harmful for healthy individuals and a narrower range for those who are less healthy.

The authors add: “This study shows that healthier participants experience a wider variety of temperatures than less healthy ones. Considerable CO2 savings in buildings could be made by having healthy people experience more varied temperatures, but vulnerable people must be protected from harmful temperature extremes.”

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Citation: Kennard HR, Huebner GM, Shipworth D, Oreszczyn T (2020) The associations between thermal variety and health: Implications for space heating energy use. PLoS ONE 15(7): e0236116.

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Funding: HRK: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Centre for Doctoral Training in Energy Demand (LoLo), grant numbers EP/L01517X/1 and EP/H009612/1.

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GMH and HRK: UK Research and Innovation through the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions, grant reference number EP/R 035288/1

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GMH and HRK: Research Councils UK Centre for Energy Epidemiology EP/K011839

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The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

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