Whether you've turned on your heating yet is this year's hot topic of conversation, but if you have succumbed, you are in the minority, according to British Gas.
The energy company has revealed that most families hold out until around the time that clocks go back for winter, with October 24 being the exact date when most stop shivering and fire up the boiler.
The energy provider analysed the heating habits of its seven million customers to work out when most will crack, although it reported that some people have had their heating on since September, despite energy bills coming in at around £800 more per year for the average family when compared to last year.
Read more: Changes to Warm Homes grant mean some miss out this year - list in full of who is eligible
The price cap is currently £2,500 a year, after the Government intervened to introduce the energy price guarantee. Average household bills had been expected to rise to £3,549 a year before the new maximum charges were set, although most households aren't typical, and your bill depends on how much energy you actually use.
According to a Government study, the average time for households with central heating to heat their homes for is 7.5 hours a day and for homes without central heating, the average is nearly double, at around 13 hours. So getting the temperature right can be critical when you're keeping an eye on your spending.
Although it can be miserable being too cold, average room temperatures have risen considerably in the last few decades, according to Ovo Energy. Back in 1970, the average temperature of a home in the UK in the winter months was around 12°C. Now, decades later, this has moved all the way up to between 17°C and 23°C, mostly thanks to central heating becoming more commonplace, and improved insulation standards.
These days, according to heatable.co.uk, research has been conducted that revealed the average temperature is 18°C yet most people in the UK think that the ideal room temperature is 21°C. Experts reckon the ideal ambient temperature or room temperature is considered to be around 18-19°C, although this varies depending on what room you are in and the time of day, with your bedroom ideally being slightly lower at 16-18°C, according to the sleep experts at The Sleep Council.
These temperatures differ slightly for babies, with UK Baby Centre recommending a baby’s room temperature anywhere between 16°C and 20°C and if you're over 65, the NHS advises that the room temperature should not drop below 18°C.
The temperature range recommended varies slightly in summer, with the recommended temperature then being between 17-19°C, although in the warmer months, the issue is keeping your house cool rather than warming it up.
Keeping you room at the right temperature is surprisingly important. Too high and your burning money on energy bills, with a 1C reduction on your thermostat potentially saving you 10% on your annual energy bill. But if you go too low, as well as being uncomfortable and potentially causing health issues, the cold air can be a perfect breeding ground for mould growth on walls and other surfaces.
Ovo Energy has produced the following general guide to temperatures
- Below 13° - If your home is this cold, it may increase your blood pressure and risk of cardiovascular disease.
- 14-15° - If your home is this cold, you may be diminishing your resistance to respiratory diseases.
- 18° is the recommended night time bedroom temperature.
- 19-21° is the recommended daytime temperature range for occupied rooms.
- 24-27º is too warm and can put babies and young children at risk.
Now read:
- Nine ways to cut the cost of using your tumble dryer this winter
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Households worry £400 energy vouchers will be delayed due to postal strikes
- Changes to Warm Homes grant mean some miss out this year - list in full of who is eligible
- Benefits blow as thousands of PIP applications rejected by DWP
- Thousands more to get £400 energy rebate including tenants who pay all-inclusive bills
- Money changes due to hit your pocket before Christmas
