NEW RESEARCH from Welsh charity Care & Repair Cymru has revealed alarming data on the energy efficiency of homes occupied by older people.
Their report, Leaky Homes and a Lack of Support, found that 65% of people over 60 do not have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property they live in. This is compared to just 20% across all households in Wales.
Additionally, it was found that only 12% of over 60s live in a home that is deemed energy efficient – having an EPC of C or above.
Chris Jones, Chief Executive of Care & Repair Cymru said: “Having a home that doesn’t leak heat is essential to keeping energy bills down. We have found that older people are more likely to live in homes with poor energy efficiency or where there is no EPC at all.
“Not having an EPC can add barriers to accessing certain support for older people living in fuel poverty, such as the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Programme.”
Care & Repair Cymru analysed EPC data not only alongside location, but also alongside the age of the person living in the property. This is important because older people are at increased risk of illnesses due to a cold home.
Cold and damp homes are linked to respiratory infections, strokes, and heart attacks. NHS research shows that 75% of excess winter deaths occur among those aged 75 and above. Improving the energy efficiency of homes is essential to improving the health and wellbeing of older people in Wales.
Care & Repair recently helped a 77-year-old woman from Swansea, who had lived with a broken boiler for over a year. It was only after she fell at home and broke her back in July 2024 that she was encouraged to reach out to Care & Repair. Her local Care & Repair Caseworker was able to connect her to a free boiler replacement service.
She said: “I spoke to someone on the phone and within four weeks I had the new boiler put in. I didn’t think it would be so soon; I thought I would have to wait months and months. It’s just amazing, I’m still pinching myself.”
However, many older people are not as fortunate. The financial burden of maintaining a warm home is made worse by rising energy prices and the withdrawal of government support schemes. Just three years ago, older low-income individuals were eligible for up to £1,900 from various support schemes, which helped offset the high costs of gas and electricity. This winter however, much of that support has been withdrawn leaving many older people struggling to keep their homes warm.
Care & Repair Cymru believes that a safety net grant to remedy hazardous disrepair in Welsh homes, such as leaking roofs and draughty windows, will help ease the situation. This type of grant will help improve thermal efficiency and protect against changing weather conditions.
This year, as part of their ongoing commitment to support older people living in fuel poverty, Care & Repair launched Older Not Colder. The new service has 12 Home Energy Officers who visit and assess homes, offering free expert advice and support. The service helps older people to find funding for repairs or work to improve their home’s energy efficiency.
To find out more, visit Care & Repair Cymru’s website.
