The Case for Insulation and Efficient Heating
Across Britain, 31 million* people are living in homes that are cold, draughty, and expensive to heat and run. Poor insulation and outdated heating aren’t just uncomfortable—they’re costly, harmful to health, and put avoidable pressure on the NHS and the UK’s energy supply.
But there’s a solution. Around 13 million of the UK’s most inefficient homes could be upgraded to EPC band C with the right support. If done by 2030, these improvements could unlock up to £40 billion in economic and health benefits.
With schemes like HEART, and expert delivery partners like Aura Retrofit, it’s possible to make these improvements at no cost to eligible households.
The Cost of Cold Homes
Poor insulation means heat escapes quickly. That means more energy, more expense, and little extra comfort. It’s a losing battle—especially for the most vulnerable: the elderly, young children, and those with long-term health conditions.
Cold homes are a leading cause of energy waste. But they’re also one of the easiest things to fix. With targeted upgrades—such as loft insulation, cavity wall filling, floor insulation, and modern heating systems—we can turn cold, inefficient homes into warm, affordable ones.
If rolled out nationally by 2030, the benefits would include:
- £24 billion saved on energy bills
- Reduced pressure on the national grid
- Lower NHS spending linked to cold-related illness
- Big cuts in household carbon emissions
Cold Homes and Health Go Hand in Hand
Living in a cold home isn’t just uncomfortable—it’s a serious health risk. It increases the chances of respiratory issues, heart disease, and mental health problems.
According to Citizens Advice, making homes more energy efficient could prevent over 650,000 cases of childhood asthma by 2030 and cut NHS costs by £2 billion.
Each year, around 6,000 people in the UK die from conditions worsened by cold homes. These deaths are preventable.
Case Study: Living with Raynaud’s
Raynaud’s disease restricts blood flow to the extremities, triggered by the cold. For sufferers, living in an unheated home isn’t just unpleasant—it’s dangerous.
Keeping a home consistently warm helps to:
- Reduce painful flare-ups
- Improve mobility and wellbeing
- Prevent complications like ulcers and infections
Take Sue, for example. She and her partner Dom, had a fully-funded heating upgrade and solar panels installed by Aura Retrofit. Since then, Sue has seen major improvements in her Raynaud’s symptoms—and in her daily comfort.
“I have Raynaud’s and constantly need the heat on. It used to burn through our money. Since the install, it just heats the house properly. I don’t feel the cold anymore—it’s perfect.”
Watch Sue’s full story with eco-builder Tommy Walsh
Help Is Available – At No Cost
Most people don’t know that there are schemes that offer fully-funded upgrades to eligible homes. That includes insulation, new heating systems, air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Aura Retrofit delivers these works across the South. We carry out energy assessments, confirm your eligibility, and manage the full installation process from start to finish.
Take the First Step
Upgrading your home is about more than saving money. It’s about feeling comfortable, staying healthy, and reducing future risk. If you’re fed up with high bills, cold rooms, or living with a health condition affected by temperature, now is the time to act.
We’re here to help you access what you’re entitled to. Aura Retrofit works with homeowners, tenants and landlords to secure funding and carry out upgrades that make a real difference.
Don’t Wait. Act Now.
- 31 million people live in cold homes
- 13 million homes could meet EPC C with existing measures
- £24 billion could be saved by 2030
- 650,000 asthma cases could be avoided
- 6,000 lives could be saved every year
- Support is available through HEART
Aura Retrofit is proud to work with HEART to deliver fully-funded energy upgrades to households across the South East.
Want to feel the difference a warm home can make? Let’s get started.
Call us on 0800 520 0280, email hello@savewithheart.org.uk or use our contact form to book your Retrofit Assessment Plan.