More than two million households are expected to avoid switching on their central heating this winter, according to a survey, marking a 22% increase on last year. Rising energy bills remain the primary concern, with those living alone the most likely to rely on alternatives. One in 10 solo dwellers said they planned to find other ways of keeping warm, while 5% of households with young children also reported they would not use their central heating. More than half of respondents (54%) cited the rising cost of living as the main reason.
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Instead, almost half of households planning to keep their heating off (45%) said they would rely on hot water bottles, extra layers and heated blankets. A fifth (21%) reported turning to portable heaters, log burners or open fires. Despite these efforts, three quarters of households (77%) admitted they were worried about being cold this winter, with one in six describing themselves as “very worried”. Nearly a third (30%) of respondents said they would only heat some rooms, while two in five (43%) planned to turn the heating on only if temperatures became unbearable.
Energy experts recommend households maintain a temperature between 18C and 21C, especially if residents are elderly or have health conditions. Uswitch found that one in four households intend to set their thermostat below this range, with the national average now at 18.9C, down from 19.4C last year. The survey also revealed that many households are switching on earlier, with the average date for using central heating now 1 October – five days earlier than in 2023. However, by mid-September, four million people had already switched their heating on.
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While some, like retired Raquel Griffiths from South Wales, report success using small ceramic heaters to cut bills, energy specialists warn that leaving large areas of homes unheated could increase damp. Will Owen, energy spokesman at Uswitch, urged households to seek support rather than go without heating, recommending measures such as reducing draughts, using thicker curtains, and exploring fixed energy deals. The government said it is supporting vulnerable households with schemes such as the £150 Warm Home Discount and investing £13.2 billion to improve energy efficiency in five million homes during this Parliament.
