The onset of winter in Britain often sparks a national conversation, with the ubiquitous question: “Have you turned the heating on yet?”
Responses may vary geographically, as the northern and western regions of the UK typically experience colder, wetter conditions compared to the east and south.
However, a temperature drop is forecasted nationwide this weekend. Furthermore, the end of British Summer Time on Sunday will usher in darker evenings, signaling winter’s imminent arrival.
The decision of when to activate the central heating hinges on factors ranging from fixed dates to specific temperature thresholds.
Abbi Lily, a personal finance content creator known as abbitalksmoney, reveals that she and her partner strive to postpone turning on the heating to minimize expenses.
Currently, they rely on blankets and sweaters to maintain warmth, “so we can hold off as long as possible,” though they lack a strict rule for initiating heating.
Speaking with the BBC earlier this week, Abbi noted the relatively mild conditions near her residence in Bournemouth.
“I’m wearing shorts today!” she remarked.
The Energy Saving Trust advises setting thermostats between 18°C and 21°C for optimal comfort.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also recommends 18°C for “healthy and well-dressed people,” while suggesting 20°C for older adults, children, and individuals with illnesses or disabilities.
Some individuals prioritize external temperatures over thermostat readings. Simon King, the BBC’s lead weather presenter, identifies 15°C as a critical threshold. “If the temperature is regularly below this for a few days or more, that is when people tend to switch their heating on.”
He further anticipates a nationwide temperature decline this weekend, as colder Arctic air advances.
Gemma Bird from Essex adopts a date-centric approach, eschewing strict temperature monitoring.
“Growing up, my mum would only let us turn on the heating on 1 November,” recounts Gemma, who shares money-saving household tips on Instagram.
“I remember thinking I’d never be like that, but obviously with the cost of everything now, I say: ‘Is it 1 November? No? Put an extra blanket on.'”
Indeed, for many households, financial considerations, rather than health or comfort, dictate the timing of heating activation.
Aimee Blakey, residing with her husband Sean and their son in a detached 1980s Wiltshire home, recalls a farming-based upbringing emphasizing resourcefulness: “If you’re cold, you put a jumper on. If you’re really cold, put a dressing gown on.”
A long-time admirer of Agas, Aimee acquired a second-hand model during renovations, now finding it indispensable.
An Aga is an iron cooking range that retains and slowly releases heat, maintaining warmth continuously.
Originally coal-fueled, contemporary Agas run on gas, electricity, or biofuel. While potentially costly, Aimee and Sean find it reduces their overall heating expenses.
“It’s like having a fire permanently in the house,” she explains. The Aga was first utilized on October 1st, but their oil boiler remains inactive.
Despite initial concerns about running costs, Aimee notes that the Aga currently costs less than their budgeted £100 per month for oil.
“Because it’s oil we can fill it up at any time. We filled it up during the summer when it was cheaper.”
Olivia Carney, an American residing in Greater Manchester with her British husband, observes the “unspoken competition of who can turn it on the latest” with amusement.
“In the US we kind of just turned it on whenever it was cold,” says Olivia, 33. However, in the UK, “it’s a hot topic in the office.”
“There seems to be a clear divide of people waiting until the absolute last minute or people who are just like, ‘Yeah, no, I’m not gonna be cold in my own house.'”
Olivia initiated heating in mid-October, setting the thermostat to 18°C, ensuring automatic shut-off upon reaching that temperature.
Caitlin Robinson, a University of Bristol researcher specializing in energy and infrastructure-based inequality, highlights that energy bills remain significantly elevated since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, which triggered gas and electricity price surges.
Dr. Robinson notes the difficulty in providing effective energy-saving advice, given that most people, especially those with lower incomes, already demonstrate “sensible” and “savvy” practices.
Her research suggests that significant heating cutbacks extend beyond low-income households, as evidenced by “record levels of energy debt” in Britain.
Dr. Robinson emphasizes the considerable stress associated with struggling to pay energy bills.
Mental health can also deteriorate if individuals are unable to host guests due to heating costs, leading to social isolation.
Furthermore, limited heating to specific rooms can compromise privacy within households.
Gemma, a remote worker, combats the cold with tights and an electric blanket.
“I can turn [the heating] on if I have to, but obviously there are loads of people who can’t, which is awful.”