Credit, Collections & Insolvency News
One million people are determined to put off switching on their heating until December to help keep costs down according to new research from Uswitch.com.
However the average household will turn on their heating this Sunday (6th October) this year. That’s nearly a week earlier than last year’s big switch-on, which fell on 12th October.
With September turning cold and wet, nearly nine million people – more than three in ten (31%) households – have already turned on their heating.
Households say they will set their thermostat at 19.4°C on average this winter, up from 19.3°C a year ago The average temperature is in line with Energy Saving Trust guidelines, which recommends heating your home to between 18°C and 21°C during winter,
More than one in six (17%) are planning to set their thermostats below the recommended levels to save money, with nearly one in ten (8%) planning to heat their home to 17°C, and 11% at 16°C or lower.
High energy prices mean many households are being cautious about their energy use. Two in five households (43%) will only turn the heating on if they are too cold, while nearly a third (31%) will only heat some rooms in their home.
Elise Melville, Energy expert at Uswitch.com, said “Many households will be switching their heating on this weekend, but it’s concerning to hear that so many are trying to hold out until December to save money.
“Spending winter in a cold home can be a health risk and households should keep the temperature at safe levels.
“People are advised to set their thermostats to between 18°C and 21°C, so households should try to keep within this range even when trying to save money.
“There are a number of fixed tariffs worth considering right now, with some deals over £100 cheaper than the October price cap. By opting for a fixed deal, you’re locking in those rates for the duration – usually 12 months – which means households could have price certainty and avoid the ups and downs of the price cap.”