ABSTRACT
Housing standards, especially those pertaining to energy efficiency, vary considerably across Europe, as has been shown in a provisional analysis by Healy (2001a). Of course, certain countries prioritise thermal measures in the design and construction of new housing, as it is essential protection to combat the relatively severe winters experienced in these colder climates where winter temperatures are often below freezing (Clinch and Healy, 1999a). Ireland and the UK have the highest rates of seasonal mortality in northern Europe, and it has been shown that such mortality rates result, in no small part, from the inadequately protected, thermally inefficient housing stocks in these countries (Cur wen, 1991; Euro winter Group, 1997). There are also strong associations between inadequately heated homes and increased rates of morbidity; higher incidences of various cardiovascular and respiratory diseases have been associated with cold exposure from within the home (Collins, 1986; Evans et al., 2000). Thus, when temperatures fall during a typical British or Irish winter, households need to increase their expenditure on fuel considerably to heat their home adequately, owing to the poor level of heat retention in their dwellings. The problem of fuel poverty occurs, therefore, when a household does not have the adequate financial resources to meet these winter home-heating costs, and/or because the dwelling’s heating system and insulation levels prove to be inadequate for achieving affordable household warmth. The link between poor housing standards, fuel poverty and ill health is a matter that is currently being given much (needed) research.1
