Which? published survey findings on 22 August 2023 estimating that 13 million UK households did not turn their heating on when it was cold last winter, and called for a targeted social tariff ahead of Ofgem's October price cap announcement1. The consumer body said the behaviour puts households at risk of illness, and that the government and energy firms need to act before winter1.
The estimate comes from a survey of 4,000 nationally representative UK consumers carried out in March 20231. Nearly half of those surveyed, 46 per cent, said they did not turn their heating on when it was cold last winter, which Which? said equates to 13 million households nationwide1. The survey also found that 85 per cent of households had tried to cut back on energy usage, 54 per cent reported wearing extra layers at home, 41 per cent said they were reducing how often they used the oven, and 33 per cent were cutting the number of baths or the length of showers they took1.
The findings vary by income. Which? reported that 51 per cent of households on less than £20,000 did not turn the heating on when cold, against 32 per cent of households with annual incomes above £80,0001. Households on £20,000 to £45,000 stood at 46 per cent, and those on £45,000 to £80,000 at 45 per cent1. Which? also said people aged 45 to 64 were more likely than other age groups not to turn the heating on in cold weather1.
| Household income | Did not turn heating on when cold |
|---|---|
| Under £20,000 | 51% |
| £20,000 to £45,000 | 46% |
| £45,000 to £80,000 | 45% |
| Over £80,000 | 32% |
On prices, Which? said average unit rates were then 30p per kWh of electricity and 7.5p per kWh of gas, and that these were predicted to drop slightly from October to 27p and 7p respectively1. It noted that the predicted fall in the cap is largely because Ofgem will update its definition of a typical energy user from October, so people would not see a huge drop in their bills from the July price cap1. Ofgem was due to announce the October cap on the Friday following publication1.
"It's hugely concerning that an estimated 13 million households have not switched the heating on when it's cold due to fears of high energy bills."
Which? said the 2022 Autumn Statement committed to a new approach to consumer protection, such as a social tariff, by April 2024, and that the government needed to act with urgency1. It also called on energy firms to ensure customer services are fit for purpose, to prioritise traditional prepayment customers in smart meter roll-outs, and to clarify bills and communications1. The design of a social tariff, and where proposals stand, is set out in the site's guide to a social tariff for energy.
Why it matters for households
Not heating a home when it is cold is a direct trade-off between cost and comfort, and it changes what a household can do with the energy it does buy. The survey suggests the choice was widespread rather than confined to the lowest incomes, with around 45 per cent of households earning up to £80,000 reporting the same behaviour as those on the least1. For a home's energy independence, the practical effect is that heating demand is being suppressed rather than met, and the saving comes from living in colder rooms. Which? said sitting in freezing temperatures can raise the risk of respiratory and cardiovascular conditions including asthma attacks, infections, heart disease and strokes, and that 37 per cent of those surveyed worried their ability to recover from illness was worse than before the cost of living crisis1. Unit rates remain the main lever on a bill, and the predicted October change is small; the site's guide to the energy price cap explains how the default tariff cap is set, and energy bills and energy independence covers the wider picture.
What happens next
Ofgem was expected to announce the October price cap on the Friday after publication1. The 2022 Autumn Statement commitment to a new consumer protection approach, such as a social tariff, was for April 20241. Which? said it wants a social tariff introduced as soon as possible1. No further dates have been reported.