UK households ‘to ration energy use this winter’

Around 13.6 million – or 77% – of homeowners will take steps to ration their energy consumption this winter. According to a new survey, 32% of them will actively manage […]

Around 13.6 million – or 77% – of homeowners will take steps to ration their energy consumption this winter.

According to a new survey, 32% of them will actively manage the amount of heating they use this winter, taking measures that include leaving it as long as possible before turning on the central heating (33%).

Just under a third (32%) of those surveyed plan to snuggle up under blankets and duvets around the house, 24% will fill a hot water bottle and 12% will dig out their thermal underwear.

In addition, a quarter said they will keep cold feet at bay with bed socks while 11% said they will be forced to wear items of clothing to bed.

The survey adds one in 10 people are worried about how they will pay their fuel bills and 7% of them expect to make cutbacks elsewhere to be able to afford to heat their homes.

However, the survey also states many homeowners are missing the opportunity to slash £100 off their gas and electricity bills by switching their energy supplier. Around 30% said they hadn’t switched for three years and 17% admitted they had never done it.

Ben Wilson, spokesperson for Gocompare.com Energy said: “For many people, energy bills represent a significant proportion of their household expenditure. So it makes sense to find ways to cut the cost of winter bills when household energy use tends to be at its highest but instead of going without – now is a good time to shop around to see if you can reduce the cost of your gas and electricity by switching to a better tariff.”

Last week Green energy supplier Good Energy said it will freeze its prices this winter while Ecotricity said customers will see their bills rise.

Two of the Big Six bosses, Alistair Phillips-Davies, CEO of SSE and Gab Barbaro, Managing Director at British Gas Business, will be speaking at Energy Live 2016. Get your ticketshere.

There are limited free tickets for energy end users and university students.

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