Effects of minor household interventions to block draughts on social housing temperatures: a before and after study

ABSTRACT

Half of New Zealand’s renters report damp or mould problems with their homes, which can have negative health implications. Tenants in a newly upgraded social housing complex complained of being cold. Sealing strips around doors and baffles in rangehoods were installed. This exploratory study’s objectives were to determine: (1) whether the interventions influenced indoor temperature, (2) the extent to which indoor temperature changed and (3) benefits to the tenants. The before-and-after rapid response study was conducted in five social housing units. Indoor temperature was subjectively and objectively measured. Using multivariate normal linear regression, units were found to be on average 1.36°C warmer post-intervention after adjusting for outdoor temperature. Tenants’ daily diary entries also claimed units were warmer post-intervention. Simple minor interventions to block draughts made a relatively big difference to indoor temperature and comfort of those living there. Such interventions are worthwhile, especially when housing is tenanted by vulnerable populations.

KEYWORDS:

• Housing
• rapid response
• draught
• temperature
• New Zealand

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the kind help of Helen Viggers, Sara Fraser and the Wellington City Council when carrying out this study.

Disclosure statement

Lara Rangiwhetu worked for the Wellington City Council at the time the research was conducted. No other potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Health Research Council of New Zealand [grant number 15-429].