As the clocks go back and the first cold snaps arrive, many London households start weighing up how much heating they can afford. This article sets out what official guidance says about keeping a home warm enough for health, who is most at risk from the cold, and where to look for support.
Why does a cold home matter for health?
Cold affects the body well beyond feeling uncomfortable. According to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), which publishes monitoring of cold-related deaths in England, the risk of dying rises as temperatures fall, and it climbs particularly quickly once temperatures drop below 5°C. Its report on winter 2024 to 2025, published on 18 February 2026, uses statistical modelling of recent winters to estimate how many deaths were associated with cold weather.
Two cautions apply. These are modelled estimates, not counted deaths, and they come with wide confidence intervals. And the report was corrected in September 2026: an error in how cold-episode dates were identified led to an underestimate for one episode and for the overall winter total. UKHSA says corrected figures are planned for 22 October 2026, so this article does not quote a total. The report says its comparisons between regions, age groups and causes remain valid.
What those comparisons show is useful. Cold-associated deaths were statistically significant in every English region except the North East, and the strongest relationship was in people aged 85 and over. The report also notes that cold weather and influenza often coincide, which is one reason the autumn flu vaccine is part of winter preparation for eligible groups.
What indoor temperature should you aim for?
The NHS advice is to heat your home to a temperature that is comfortable for you and, where possible, to aim for at least 18°C in the rooms you regularly use, such as the living room and bedroom. The NHS says this matters more if you have a health condition. It also suggests keeping bedroom windows closed at night.
Eighteen degrees is a guide, not a pass mark. Not every household can reach it affordably, and the guidance does not say that missing it by a degree causes harm. It is best read as a target to work towards, with the priority on the rooms where you spend most of your time.
Who is most at risk from the cold?
The NHS lists the following groups as being at higher risk from cold weather:
- people aged 65 and over
- babies and children under 5
- people on a low income who cannot afford heating
- people with a long-term health condition
- people with a disability
- pregnant women
- people with a mental health condition
In a city of London’s size, a great many households include someone in at least one of these groups. If you belong to one of these groups, the NHS advises getting medical help as soon as you feel unwell rather than waiting to see whether it passes.
How do cold-health alerts work in London?
UKHSA, in partnership with the Met Office, runs the Weather-Health Alerting System. Its cold-health alerts are aimed mainly at the health and social care sector, emergency responders, community organisations and government departments rather than the general public. According to the government guidance, the core cold-health alert season runs from 1 November to 31 March, and cold spells outside those dates can trigger an extraordinary alert.
The alerts are emailed to registered recipients, and the registration form is open to anyone, so a community group, tenants’ association or carer can sign up. The UKHSA winter report notes, for example, that London had a yellow cold-health alert during the first of three cold episodes in winter 2024 to 2025.
An alert is a prompt for services and neighbours to check on people at risk. It is not a reason for a healthy adult to stay indoors.
Practical ways to keep warm without overspending
The NHS advice is fairly modest and practical:
- Heat the rooms you use. If you cannot heat the whole home, concentrate on where you spend your time.
- Close bedroom windows at night during cold weather.
- Dress for it indoors and out. Going outside, the NHS suggests shoes with good grip and a scarf over the mouth, which it says can reduce the risk of chest infections.
- Keep supplies in. For vulnerable relatives or neighbours, the NHS suggests making sure they have enough food for a few days in case they cannot go out.
- Have appliances checked. The NHS recommends servicing of heating and cooking appliances by a Gas Safe registered engineer, and a home fire safety check.
A check by a Gas Safe registered engineer is the safeguard the NHS names for heating appliances, so book one before the coldest weather arrives.
Is there help with heating costs for Londoners?
Several routes exist, and it is worth checking each rather than assuming you do not qualify.
| Support | What the official pages say |
|---|---|
| Warm Home Discount | A one-off £150 discount off an electricity bill, applied by your supplier rather than paid to you. GOV.UK says the scheme had closed and will reopen in October 2026; eligibility rules differ between England and Wales and Scotland. |
| Government energy helpline | The NHS page points to GOV.UK energy-saving advice and a helpline on 0800 444 202. |
| Benefits and grants | The NHS says grants, benefits and advice are available to help improve heating and insulation or to help with bills. |
Because the Warm Home Discount is applied automatically for many eligible households, the sensible step is to check the GOV.UK eligibility pages once the scheme reopens and to confirm with your supplier. Do not pay anyone who contacts you offering to secure the discount for you.
Cold, mood and the darker months
Winter in London brings less daylight as well as lower temperatures. The NHS lists people with a mental health condition among those at higher risk in cold weather. If low mood tends to arrive with the autumn, our guide to seasonal affective disorder explains what the evidence says helps.
Staying active also helps. Time outdoors on milder days, including walking as everyday transport, keeps you moving, though wrap up well and take care on icy surfaces.
When to speak to a GP or NHS 111
Contact your GP, a pharmacist or NHS 111 if you or someone you look after, particularly if aged 65 or over or in another at-risk group, feels unwell in cold weather. The NHS says to use NHS 111, online or by phone, for an urgent problem when you are unsure what to do, or if you are worried that someone may have hypothermia and your GP surgery or pharmacy is closed.
In an emergency, go to A&E or call 999.
Looking out for others and preparing now
Cold-related risk is not only about the person in the cold home. The NHS suggests checking on vulnerable neighbours and relatives, and making sure they have enough food for a few days in case they cannot go out. A short call or knock when the weather turns is an ordinary, low-cost step, and it is often how a problem such as a broken boiler or an unpaid bill comes to light.
If someone you know is 65 or over, has a long-term condition or is struggling to afford heating, it can help to mention the support routes in the table above. Many people are reluctant to ask for help, so a gentle offer to look up eligibility together is often better received than advice.
October is a sensible time to act. Book any boiler service, check your eligibility for support as schemes reopen and register for cold-health alerts if you support others. The aim of all this guidance is the same: a home warm enough in the rooms that matter, and neighbours and services who notice when someone is struggling.
This article is general information, not a substitute for advice from a doctor or other qualified health professional. If you are worried about your health in cold weather, speak to your GP or call NHS 111. If you are struggling emotionally, the Samaritans are available on 116 123.
Sources: NHS; UK Health Security Agency; GOV.UK
