A survey of 2,000 UK homeowners, commissioned by the Heating and Hot Water Industry Council (HHIC), found that 93% of respondents were worried about the price of heating this winter.
Further prompting concern, the survey has also revealed that 34% of Brits are ‘extremely worried’ about the cost of heating, and 57% would not turn their heating on if they can’t afford it over the coming months.
The trade body has registered concern that worried Brits could be making costly mistakes by changing their heating behaviours in an attempt to save on bills. In total, 36% of respondents said they will only be turning on their heating when it is ‘absolutely freezing,’ while half will be using it sparingly.
The research also highlighted that 57% of homeowners have their heating at 19°C or above during the winter, a temperature that could be more costly when it is freezing cold outside. If outside temperatures sink to the 2021 January average of 2.2°C, energy saving, and efficiency measures can have a major impact.
Stewart Clements, the organisation’s director, said: “We want to make sure that people are heating their homes correctly and don’t fall into the trap of wasting energy through inefficient heating practices.
“For example, lowering the thermostat and heating the home as you would have normally done may reduce your energy consumption while ensuring your home reaches a comfortable temperature. Heating at a higher temperature for longer may be consuming lots of energy, yet you will not notice it heating your home.”