Cold place like home

Melanie Kramers

10 February 2011

In the interests of a healthy work-life balance, I try not to take work home with me. But it's been hard lately, as every time I step into my flat I'm reminded of our Warm Homes campaign.

If my home actually was warm, it would be much easier to pour a glass of wine and forget about the office. But it's horribly cold - even with the heating on full blast. 

It's really frustrating to realise how much heat is vanishing through my draughty windows and thin external walls - it feels like tossing fivers outdoors. 

And I know I'm not alone. From working on this campaign I've found out rented homes are most likely to be shoddily insulated and cold. 

It's not my landlord who has to pile on three jumpers and a dressing gown to try to stay warm watching a film. But what can tenants like me do to heat up our freezing homes?

Luckily, my landlord is a nice guy and paid for some triple-lined curtains to replace a flimsy blind in our living room. It's not double glazing, but it's better than before. But not all landlords live two doors down in easy pestering distance - or are as helpful.

Rather than strap on a hot water bottle and suffer in silence, the campaign I'm working on is encouraging people to tell their MP how it feels to be cold at home. 

I've been overwhelmed by the stories coming in. They range from the extreme - when Julie's toilet froze solid she had to go the library to pee - to the heartbreaking, like Michael, whose draughty home made his osteoarthritis worse during the cold snap.  

And these personal stories seem to be having an effect on MPs too. In the past few weeks more have backed a new law to protect tenants. 

For me, these real-life experiences are a poignant reminder of what a big goal like tackling climate change can mean in practice - helping people like Julie and Michael keep cosy at home. 

And for now, that fuzzy glow is keeping me warm - well, that, two duvets and some mismatched knitwear.

- Melanie Kramers, Communications and Media Team