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Home Health Checks: Protecting Air Quality, Warmth & Wellbeing.

  • Writer: Haela Pattemore
    Haela Pattemore
  • Dec 3, 2025
  • 4 min read

Updated: Dec 12, 2025

As the colder months set in, our homes work hard to keep us warm, comfortable, and safe. But winter also increases the risk of poor air quality, damp, mould, and insulation issues, problems that can have an impact on health, particularly for individuals with respiratory conditions, heart disease, reduced mobility, or compromised immune systems (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence 2015).


At Homes Reimagined, we specialise in creating safe, healthy, and accessible living environments. Winter is the perfect time to carry out essential checks that ensure your home remains warm, energy-efficient, and free from hazards that could affect your health and wellbeing.

 

Why Winter Air Quality Matters

During winter, we tend to keep windows closed and heating on for longer periods. . This traps moisture, dust, allergens, and pollutants inside our homes.

Poor indoor air quality has been linked to:

Worsening asthma and COPD symptoms,

Increased risk of respiratory infections,

Fatigue, headaches, and poor sleep,

Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat.


For people living with chronic lung conditions, heart disease, autoimmune issues, or mobility difficulties, maintaining clean, warm air indoors is essential for health and daily functioning. In the winter period of 2017/18 there were an estimated 50,100 winter deaths in England and Wales. Over a 3rd of these excess winter deaths were people ages over 65 caused by respiratory diseases (Age UK, 2019).

 

Key Winter Checks for a Safe & Healthy Home

1. Look for Damp and Mould

Damp thrives in poorly ventilated spaces, and mould can develop quickly in colder months. Both can trigger or worsen breathing problems, allergies, and infections.

Check for:

Black or green spots on walls, ceilings, or window frames

Musty smells

Condensation on windows

Peeling wallpaper or bubbling paint

Cold, damp corners behind furniture


A build up of condensation on windows can lead to internal mould
A build up of condensation on windows can lead to internal mould

 Actions to take:

Open windows briefly each day to allow fresh air flow

Leave internal doors open to improve ventilation

Use a dehumidifier if moisture levels are high

Address leaks or water ingress immediately

If mould is persistent, professional assessment and treatment may be required.

 

2. Inspect for Draughts

Draughts not only reduce warmth and comfort but can also drive up energy bills and make it harder for vulnerable individuals to maintain a safe indoor temperature.

Common areas where draughts occur:

Around windows and doors

Letterboxes

Loft hatches

Electrical outlets on external walls

Gaps around pipework

 

Simple remedies:

Draught-proofing strips around windows and doors

Letterbox brushes

Weighted draught excluders

Sealant around gaps

Ensuring a stable indoor temperature is especially important for those with poor circulation, heart conditions, or mobility limitations.

 

3. Monitor Ventilation & Airflow

Good ventilation helps remove moisture, allergens, carbon dioxide, and pollutants from cooking or heating.

 

Check:

Extractor fans are working in kitchens and bathrooms

Trickle vents on windows are open and functional

Air bricks are unobstructed

Mechanical ventilation systems are serviced

Remember: ventilation doesn’t mean losing heat it means ensuring the air inside your home stays fresh and healthy.

 

4. Check Heating Systems & Radiators

A well-maintained heating system keeps your home warm and reduces the risk of damp and mould.

 

Winter checks should include:

Bleeding radiators to ensure even heat

Ensuring thermostats and timers work correctly

Servicing your boiler (ideally annually)

Ensuring radiators aren’t blocked by furniture

Keeping room temperatures consistent is vital for older adults and individuals with underlying health problems.

 

5. Assess Insulation

Good insulation keeps heat inside your home, making it more cost-effective to stay warm.

 

Make sure radiators are unobstructed
Make sure radiators are unobstructed

Check for issues in:

Loft insulation

Cavity walls

Exterior walls

Flooring

Cold spots on walls or unusually high heating bills can indicate insulation deficiencies.

 

6. Monitor Indoor Pollutants

Everyday activities can worsen indoor air quality, especially when the home is closed up in winter.

 

Consider:

Avoiding indoor drying of clothes where possible

Using cooker hoods while preparing meals

Minimising use of aerosols and strong cleaning chemicals

Maintaining smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors

 

Why This Matters for Vulnerable Individuals

For those living with:

COPD or asthma

Chronic heart disease

Immune system difficulties

Chronic fatigue or long-term conditions

Mobility issues


Maintaining clean air and stable warmth is more than comfort, it’s a key part of managing health and preventing exacerbations or hospital admissions (Public Health England, 2018).

 

Cold, damp environments increase strain on the heart and lungs, promote infections, and make self-care more difficult. A safe, warm, well-ventilated home directly supports daily independence and long-term wellbeing (Institute of Health Equity, 2024).


Government Initiative

The UK government's main initiative is Awaab's Law, part of the Social Housing Regulation Bill, enforcing strict timeframes for social landlords to fix serious damp, mould and emergency repairs, starting October 2025 (Housing Ombudsman, 2025).


How Homes Reimagined Can Help

At Homes Reimagined, we are committed to creating safe, accessible, and healthy living spaces through:

Home assessments

Advice on damp, mould, and ventilation

Energy efficiency recommendations

Support for individuals with complex health needs

 

Whether improving insulation, enhancing ventilation, or addressing damp issues, our goal is to help every home support comfort, independence, and long-term health.


References


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