The average UK household is setting its thermostat to 20°C, a degree higher than the Committee on Climate Change recommends in the battle to combat climate change.
An estimated 17.7 million UK households (64%) are setting their thermostat to 20°C or higher, while 2.7 million households are setting it to 25°C or more – hotter than Tenerife was last week.
Research by Uswitch.com shows turning your thermostat down by just 1°C could actually save you as much as £80 per year. It means the 17.7 million households setting thermostats above 20°C could save £1.4 billion if they turned the temperature down just a single degree.
The research also showed that younger people are more likely to crank their heating all the way up to 25°C or above, with 21% of those aged 18-24 saying this is their preferred temperature, compared to just 3% of those aged 55 or older.
60% of over 55s say they set their thermostat to 20°C or above. Age UK recommends older people keep the rooms they use most at 21°C.
Uswitch.com has produced a guide on free energy-saving tips which suggests turning off lights and cooking food using a microwave as two small ways which can help save energy and cut down bills.
Sarah Broomfield, energy expert at Uswitch.com, said: “With temperatures falling, many of us have already turned our heating on, but it’s amazing to think that an estimated two million homes are currently hotter than Tenerife.
“While it is important to stay warm over the winter, and older people especially should keep their heating on to look after their health, higher temperatures are one of the biggest contributors to higher energy bills and carbon emissions.
“Anyone who is worried about paying their energy bills this winter should contact their energy supplier, who can offer advice and support. Some people may be eligible for free insulation grants to help them pay for home improvements that will keep costs down longer term.
“Switching tariffs or changing your energy supplier is another way to make significant savings, so now is a good time to run an online comparison to see what energy deals you could be getting.”
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