Over 1.7mln UK homes won't turn on heating this winter
3 Min Read
More than half of households cite growing living expenses as a cause for not heating their houses.
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A woman sits at the Other Place theater in Stratford-upon-Avon in England, on February 28, 2023, as it becomes a "warm hub" once a week. (AP)
More than 1.7 million families in the United Kingdom plan to turn off their heaters this winter, up significantly from the 972,000 who said they did so last year, data conducted by comparison website Uswitch revealed.
The study indicates that 55% of households mentioned increased living expenses as the reason they would avoid heating their houses, while a quarter of seniors cited the loss of winter fuel subsidies, even though it might pose a health risk.
Queries for hot water bottles on the Argos website have surged by 257% year on year, while demand for heated blankets has risen by 224% as consumers prepare for nights at home.
According to Elise Melville, an energy expert at Uswitch.com, "Cold weather can be challenging for households struggling with their energy bills, but spending winter in a cold home can be a health risk, and households should keep the temperature at safe levels."
Johanna Lueders, director of heating solutions shop Snugel, stated that heated clothing might be a "huge cost saver," telling The Guardian that some customers save £100 per month on winter heating bills.
One retired woman by the name of Janette explained how she had gas fire put in her home rather than electric heating and uses a "little space heater" when her daughter visits weekly.
She detailed how plug-in blankets do not stop her face from getting colder, and she may have to spend more money on heating.
According to Melville, even when trying to save money, homes should have their thermostats set between 18C and 21C.
More than one in six (17%) homes want to set their thermostats below the recommended settings to save money, with almost one in twelve (8%) expecting to heat their home at 17 degrees Celsius and 11% at 16 degrees Celsius or below, according to the findings.
It is noteworthy that despite these hardships faced by the British people, the UK continues to fund the Israeli genocide in Gaza and the war in Ukraine.
Poorest UK families lack beds and sleeping on floor: Charity report
Last month, a children's charity revealed a report detailing how families living in poverty in the United Kingdom are forced to sleep on the floor since they cannot afford beds.
The study conducted by Buttle UK, an organization supporting children and young people in crisis, found that most of the 1,567 surveyed families struggled to find money to heat and power their homes. Additionally, the cost of living crisis has strained parent-children relationships.
The survey also revealed that most families had skipped meals, with one parent sharing that despite being diabetic, they only eat a single bowl of cereal a day to ensure their son "has the food he needs."
The black mold endemic in homes was another issue many families faced, making it difficult to remove due to cold and damp conditions.
