Australians are shivering through winter in homes up to 10 degrees colder than the recommended indoor temperatures — and in many cases, they don’t even realise.
We’re known for being the country of sunshine and coastlines, but a lesser-known issue is posing a real health and safety risk for millions across the continent.
That’s the message from US-born Melbourne man John Pabon, a United Nations advisor and author.
“The recommended indoor temperature is 18 degrees Celsius, and some Australian homes are clocking in at 10 degrees or less. That’s a massive difference,” Pabon told Yahoo News Australia in an interview this week.
“People across the country are commenting that their homes are colder inside than outside.”
Pabon said the “biggest misconception” is that houses are purposely built in a way that favours warm weather over cold weather.
“That might be the case if you’re thinking of a Queenslander that’s built off the ground, but if you go down to Victoria or Tasmania, especially, the houses really weren’t built to withstand the type of cold that we’re seeing,” he said.
That then has knock-on effects on health.
“We’re literally talking about single-pane glass here, while the rest of the world is moving towards triple glazing. Double glazing has been pretty standard in most parts of the world since the 1970s, so Australia really is quite behind,” Pabon said.
“I’m sitting in my office now in Melbourne and looking up at these grates in the wall that are basically open vents to the outside.”
Pabon said he looked into it and found the openings are remnants from when gas appliances were used, and ventilation was required.
He added that they’re no longer necessary and now just let in cold air, so he’s planning to cover them with insulation from Bunnings over winter.
The recommended indoor temperature is 18 degrees Celsius, and some Australian homes are clocking in at 10 degrees or less.
(Andrew Merry via Getty Images)Why are cold homes a problem?
Lower temperatures can lead to increased health risks and mould growth, a “major concern” for older people and other vulnerable groups.
“The biggest issue for people right now is that, economically, it doesn’t make any sense,” Pabon said.
“You’re trying to heat a home and all the hot air — and your money — is just going out the windows, the ceiling and everything else.
“You can get mould growth when houses get that cold, and mould is terrible for your health. There are respiratory issues and cardiovascular issues as well.”
Are Australians spending more than they should?
Pabon said, “Absolutely, they are.
“Compared to the rest of the world, if you’re thinking about somewhere like Belgium, where homes commonly have double glazing, people simply don’t need to spend the same amount on heating,” he said.
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“If you’re looking at passive homes, which are very well constructed, some are spending something like $200 a year to heat their home.
Some homes in Melbourne are inadequately equipped for winter.
(David Ewing via Getty Images)
“Most new homes are supposed to sit at around seven stars, but many existing homes are far below that. The worse your rating, the more the cost of heating grows exponentially.”
Pabon said if you’re a renter, and you’re living in one of these poorly performing homes, you “might as well live outside.”
How did we get here?
Pabon said the problem largely stems from older homes built before current building standards were introduced, noting that these properties can’t simply be demolished and replaced.
He said that while regulations can help going forward, they don’t address the existing housing stock that’s already affected.
He suggested governments should consider rebate schemes or retrofit support programs, especially for renters who are likely bearing the greatest burden.
Pabon added that relatively small fixes, such as blocking drafts and improving air sealing, can significantly improve a home’s efficiency.
“I don’t think a lot of people know the difference,” he said.
“I’m from the United States, and I’ve lived in a few different places around the world, so when I came here, I noticed it straight away. A lot of the people who first started talking about this on social media were people who had come from overseas.
“When you’re exposed to how houses are built in other countries, you realise there are improvements that could be made here.
“A lot of people probably think, ‘Winter isn’t that long, just put on a hoodie and you’ll be right for a few months.’ But if you’re an older person or otherwise vulnerable, you can’t do that every year. It’s not OK.”
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