Overview

• An Opinium poll for Uswitch finds more than two million households intend not to use central heating this winter, a rise of about 22% from last year.
• People living alone are most likely to forgo heating, with roughly one in ten planning alternatives, and 5% of households with younger children say they will keep systems off.
• Thermostat intentions have fallen to an average 18.9°C, a quarter plan even colder settings, and the typical switch‑on date has moved to October 1, five days earlier than last year, with about four million already using heating in mid‑September.
• Households report coping measures such as extra layers, hot water bottles and heated blankets (45%), and alternatives like portable heaters, log burners or open fires (21%), while 77% are worried about being cold and 16% are very worried.
• The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero highlights an expanded £150 Warm Home Discount for over six million households and a £13.2bn home‑improvement program, as British Gas warns of a near‑term cold snap and expects higher call‑outs, urging pre‑winter checks and contacting suppliers for help.