According to a survey of 4,000 people by the consumer group Which?, nearly 9 in 10 households attempted to lessen energy usage last winter, while 13 million homes, or approximately more than half of the households, said heating was not even turned on when it got cold.

Lower-income households and those aged between 45 and 64 years old were found to be more likely to go without heating in winter, which prompted requests for the government to propose a discounted “social energy tariff” for those households.

Which? energy editor, Emily Seymour, said, “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.”

The survey also found that half of households with an annual income of less than £20,000 did not turn the heating on when it was cold, as opposed to a third of households with an annual income of over £80,000.

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In addition, those aged between 45 and 64 were also found to be more likely than other age groups to go without heating during cold weather, in part because this age group was “likely to have more financial responsibilities” but not yet eligible for pension savings.

More than half of the households wore extra layers at home for warmth, while 4 in 10 claimed to reduce the number of times they used the oven. A third reduced the number of baths and amount of time in the shower. 

“The government and energy firms need to act now to help those most in need make ends meet over the winter. The government must introduce a properly targeted social tariff as soon as possible, and energy firms must ensure that their customer services are equipped to properly support customers over the winter,” Seymour continued.

This study comes as Ofgem, the energy regulator for the UK, is due to announce the latest price cap on Friday, which will come into effect starting October, and is expected to fall below an average of £2,000 annually, The price remains almost double the level before the energy crisis began.

Although the cap is supposed to set a fair rate for energy bills, it remains unaffordable for low-income households as ministers are urged to legislate a social tariff below the cost of supplying gas and electricity, for such households.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has already vowed to consider a social tariff to aid vulnerable households. 

Earlier this year, the Treasury confirmed that it was “developing a new approach,” which includes the consideration of a social tariff.