Millions do not plan to turn on heating this winter
More than two million British households are prepared for a winter without central heating, a 22 percent surprising increase last year.
The high figure is guided by fears on increasing energy invoices.
Sharp reality is especially acute, especially for lonely living, and one of the ten solo residents plans to quit traditional heating methods. Even families with young children are affected because five percent of households with younger offspring show that they will not open their heating.
In general, according to the research of 2,000 people for the comparison site Uswitch, more than half of those who cannot heat their homes sufficiently (54 percent) attribute this struggle to the ruthless increase in direct living costs.
Almost half of those who do not open their heating (45 percent) rely on methods such as wearing extra layers, hot water bottles and heated blankets to keep warm.
The fifth (21 percent) uses alternatives to central heating, including portable heaters, stump burners and open fires.
However, more quarter of their households (77 percent) is worried about being cold because of high energy prices this winter, six (16 percent) a “very anxious”.
Two of the five households (43 percent) heated only if it is very cold, while three (30 percent) only heat some rooms in their homes.
Trust in energy savings, in general, says that households should open the heating when members begin to feel cold, and this is especially important if any of the people in the house have a bigger or more medical condition.
Usually, it is reported that people start to heat their homes when temperatures fall regularly to 15C and below, which tends to be in October according to Met Office.
It is generally recommended that households set home thermostats between 18C and 21C.
Uswitch fell to an average of 18.9C, which plans to adjust the thermostats of one -quarter of the households (24 percent) to a colder temperature than that, half degrees lower than 19.4C last year.
An average household will open its heating on October 1 this year – five days before 6 October last year.
However, even in mid -September, it shows that four million people have already opened the heating.
South Wales, who live alone in a house with a four -bedroom, said that 56 -year -old retired Raquel Griffiths of Llantrisant bought five 1.2kw ceramic heater to use it in one room.
The heaters dropped the heating invoice in a “dramatic way ..
He said: “With these heaters, I just heat the room I use. I am on my own in a house with four bedrooms and there is absolutely no need to heat more than 60 percent of the rooms. I can adjust the temperature I want and open it just before I need it.
“When I started using these heaters, I realized that my energy bills fell, especially between February and March.”
Uswitch said that while this option could work for some households, many of them cannot live without central heating, and at the same time the risk of non -heated rooms in winter conditions may be at risk of being moist.
“This is likely to see that the solo residents will take this harsh action, seeing the households who plan to cross the warming during the winter, who plans to pass through warming, said that solo residents will take this harsh action.
“Winter in a cold house can be bad for your health, and people are advised to put their thermostats to 18 ° C and 21 ° C even when trying to save money.
“If you’re worried about paying your energy bill this winter, please don’t suffer alone. Contact your energy supplier to offer advice and support.
“Closing your heated does not have to be an answer, so see if you can keep your home warmer by cutting the drafts, selecting thicker curtains, and if possible by adding insulation.
“You may also consider the cost -effective ways of staying hot at home.
“Electric blankets are a good way to keep it warm, and it costs much less expensive than electrical heaters.
“You should also make sure you do not pay any more for your energy by seeing which fixed opportunities are available.”
Energy security and Net Zero spokesman said a department: uz We support those who need the most this winter and help more than six million households by expanding a 150 £ hot home discount.
“We also invest £ 13.2 billion to develop up to five million houses on this parliament and help families to cut their energy bills well.”
Opinium searched for 2,000 inhabitants between 5-9 September.
