Closing windows or using log burners to cut energy bills ‘increases health risk’

Reducing ventilation and adding new pollutants into the indoor air by burning wood can cause issues (Alamy/PA)

Closing windows, turning the heating off, and using log burners to cut energy bills will make people more vulnerable to health risks and accelerate infection spread, a leading expert has said.

Cath Noakes, professor of environmental engineering for buildings at the University of Leeds, said there is currently a “massive conundrum” where people are taking steps to reduce energy use but consequently reducing ventilation and adding new pollutants into the indoor air by burning wood or cooking.