1.7m UK households plan to go without heating this winter

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Oct, 12:02 · Archive

Around 1.7 million UK households say they will not turn on their heating at all this winter, according to research by Uswitch. More than 15 million homes—52 per cent of households—are worried about being cold over the coming months, while 40 per cent say they will only put the heating on if they get too chilly. Nearly three in ten households plan to heat only certain rooms, while a quarter plan to set their thermostat below the recommended minimum of 18°C.

Energy prices rose by 4 per cent, or £60 a year, on 1 October, taking the annual bill for a typical household on the price cap to £1,723. A further increase of almost 22 per cent is expected in January. For some households, the decision to keep heating off is about cutting costs even when they could afford to turn it on. More than a third of those planning to go without heating said they were choosing to cut back to save money, while 28 per cent said rising energy bills had made heating unaffordable.

Half of those planning to leave heating off said they would rely on alternatives such as extra layers, hot water bottles and heated blankets. Almost one in five plan to use portable heaters, open fires or log burners instead. However, these alternatives can cost more to run than central heating when used to heat an entire home.

How it is being reported

• ‘I won’t turn my heating on until December’ families shiver as bills riseUswitch research suggests 1.7million UK households will not turn on their heating this winter as millions fear the cold and energy bills rising againOxford Mail · 14 Oct, 11:34
• ‘I won’t turn my heating on until December’ families shiver as bills riseUswitch research suggests 1.7million UK households will not turn on their heating this winter as millions fear the cold and energy bills rising againOxfordshire Guardian · 14 Oct, 11:34

In this story: Uswitch · UK

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