The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has claimed that upgrading existing homes to a sufficient level of energy efficiency will significantly benefit elderly and low income households.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the FMB, explained that elderly people who lack adequate insulating technologies such as double glazing risk exposure to potentially-fatal cold-related illnesses.

With winter temperatures already sinking in across the country, his comments have an added sense of urgency and will prompt many to evaluate the energy efficiency of their own dwellings this season.

"For low income people and [the] elderly - [these] people live in pure poverty," he said. "If all our homes were upgraded to a sufficient standard it means that a lot of elderly people wouldn't be dying of hypothermia every year and children wouldn't be forced to live in damp conditions."

Age concern estimates that more than 150,000 over-65s have died during the winter over the last six years.

Click here for a selection of double glazed windows and doors from Safestyle.

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Author:  Joanne McCabe

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