bradford It is the British city that experiences the least amount of sunlight in winter, which is “harming the physical and mental well-being” of its residents, according to a new study.
Analysis of Met Office data shows that Bradford only experiences 110 hours of sunlight during the winter months, said Origin, a leading window and door manufacturer.
The lack of natural light is “creating a generation that isn’t happy at home,” according to Origin, adding that research suggests those with limited natural light in their homes generally rate their physical and mental well-being lower than others.
It added that those with low levels of natural light are “three times more likely” to “believe their home is bad for their mental well-being,” and more than “twice as likely” to “believe it’s bad for their physical health.” . ”.
Met Office data shows that the south east coast benefits from the highest levels of sunlight throughout the year, with Chichester, Eastbourne and Hastings collectively benefiting from an average of 227 hours of sunlight during winter.
But for those living in the north, in cities and towns like Barnsley, Rochdale and Glasgow, exposure to sunlight is “significantly” lower.
Origin added that homeowners need to consider their property type to ensure they’re making the most of the sunlight available to them, and also found that basement floors are the “worst” for people’s well-being.
People who live in cottages and single-family homes, which tend to be lighter, are more likely to be happy with their home, it was also said.
The survey, which was conducted among British adults, further revealed that people living in homes with low levels of natural light are 10% less likely to get a good night’s sleep, while Origin reported that 55% of People currently living in low daylight are planning a renovation project or home move within the next 12 months.
Ben Brocklesby, director of Origin, said: “It’s interesting to see how much of an impact light can have on the enjoyment of our homes.
“We have been forced to spend more time at home than ever due to the pandemic, making our homes the center of our lives.
“At Origin, we believe it’s vital that our homes serve as more than just a place to live. We should enjoy being in our homes and they should promote the physical and mental well-being of the whole family.”
