Families living in housing association accommodation were outraged to discover that their heating is only activated when temperatures drop below a certain level.  

Kennedy House in Ramsgate has it’s heating provided by EDF Energy, but the tenants were shocked to discover that the heating switches on only when the temperature drops below 5 degrees Celsius.  This means that because most of the time, whilst unbearably cold, the heating doesn’t come on as it doesn’t meet the cold threshold.

Residents get so cold that they have to resort to wearing multiple layers and even coats whilst inside their homes.  There are 90 homes in the tower block, many of which are occupied by families with children.  EDF controls the heating system, and charges them around £6 per week.

The elderly are also particularly vulnerable, and they simply cannot afford to pay the additional costs for providing their own heating such as electric fires and blankets.