DIY heating: Shock poll reveals nine in ten use alternatives to central heating this winter

EMBARGO: 22.30 20th February 2025

• Nine in ten UK adults who are worried about the cost of heating have changed how they heat their homes this winter to help cut bills.
• Older adults are more likely to change some of their heating habits in an attempt to keep warm as the cold snap continues.
• The Liberal Democrats are calling for an emergency home insulation programme to support those in fuel poverty, as well as urging the government to axe the winter fuel payment cut.

A shocking new poll commissioned by the Liberal Democrats has revealed that two in three (68%) Brits say they are worried about the cost of heating their home this winter, as they reveal the alternative methods they are using to keep warm this winter. 

The poll reveals that a whopping nine in ten (93%) UK adults who are worried about the cost of heating their home this winter have made changes to how they heat their homes in an attempt to cut heating costs amidst rising energy bills. 

Of those, two in five (44%) have lowered the thermostat temperature and a third (33%) have reduced the number of rooms being heated.

Other ways Brits are keeping warm this winter is by wearing additional clothing, with two thirds (66%) reporting they have put on extra layers to keep warm.

Three in five Brits (59%) have used more blankets and throws, while two in five (40%) have been drinking more hot beverages to heat up. 

Worryingly, 6% of those who are worried about heating costs have revealed they have visited a warm bank this winter. Warm banks are free, safe spaces where people can go to warm up if they can't afford to heat their homes.

Older adults, aged over 55, who are worried about heating costs are more likely than their younger counterparts to say they have made changes to how they heat their homes this winter, including reducing the length of time the heating is on (65% vs. 54% of 18-34s), lowering the thermostat temperature (53% vs. 32% of 18-34s), and reducing the number of rooms being heated (38% vs. 30% of 18-34s).

This comes after estimates the energy price cap will rise by 5%, increasing average annual household bills to £1,823 from April this year. 

The government has delayed the publication of their Warm Homes Plan and Future Homes Standard, which sets rules on carbon emissions from new homes. These plans are due later this year but the government has not confirmed when. This is despite research revealing that the NHS spends an estimated £1.4 billion annually on treating illnesses associated with living in cold or damp housing. When wider societal costs are considered, such as healthcare, that figure rises to £15.4 billion.

The Liberal Democrats are urging the government to introduce an emergency Home Energy Upgrade programme to support households in fuel poverty. The programme would provide free insulation and heat pumps for low-income households. The party is also calling for a social tariff which would provide targeted energy discounts to support people who are most vulnerable to fuel poverty. 

Commenting on the shocking data, Liberal Democrat Energy Spokesperson Pippa Heylings MP said: 

“It is absolutely heartbreaking to see these Dickensian conditions with people in cold, damp homes and to hear the lengths people are having to go to keep warm this winter. 

“As a result of the former Conservative government’s incompetence, too many people are struggling to cope as energy bills continue to skyrocket.

“Unfortunately, the government seems to be content in following the Conservatives' appalling track record in government on fuel poverty. The government needs to urgently step up their action to upgrade homes and u-turn on the winter fuel payment axe. Their failure to do so will mean that thousands more households will be forced to make the impossible choice between heating and eating.”

ENDS

Notes to Editor:

Methodology: Savanta interviewed 2,286 UK adults aged 18+ online between 24th and 26th January 2025. Data were weighted to be representative of the UK by age, sex, region, and social grade.

Estimations on the energy cap rise can be found here. 

The government’s confirmation delaying their home insulation announcement can be found here. 

The House of Commons library research highlighting the cost of cold and damp homes on the NHS can be found here.