Keeping the heating off in winter is a false economy

It’s that time of year again - temperatures are plummeting and weather warnings for snow and ice are in place across the country.

So for those who’ve put off switching on the central heating, decision time has arrived.

Do you keep it turned off to save money?

Or do you bite the bullet, even if it costs you more over the next few months?

Millions plan to keep heating off because of energy costs

If you look at what you’re already paying for energy, as well as all your other regular expenses, keeping your heating off might seem extremely tempting.

And you’d be far from alone.

In fact, more than two million households don’t plan to turn their central heating on this winter because of high energy bills, according to uSwitch.

You might also decide it’s not worth it because there are other ways to stay warm.

Maybe you could use a blanket or hot water bottle, or maybe a plug-in electric heater.

But this can be a mistake - and it could leave you spending much more in the long run.

Burst pipes can cause expensive damage

You need to keep some heat on in your house during cold snaps because water expands as it freezes. 

So if the temperature inside the house drops low enough, the water sitting inside your plumbing can freeze, expand and burst the pipes.

And that could cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to your home and possessions.

Worse still, you might not even get a payout on your home insurance if the worst happens, as keeping the heating turned off in cold weather could invalidate your policy.

So it’s really important to keep the heating above a minimum temperature, even if you’re away for a few days.

Electric heaters cost more to run

Electricity is almost four times more expensive than gas.

Nevertheless, one in five (21%) people mistakenly believe that portable electric heaters are cheaper to run than central heating, according to Utilita.

And 15% of people who choose a plug-in heater say they use it all winter, leaving their central heating switched off entirely.

So if keeping costs down is a priority this winter, keeping your central heating at a low, steady setting could be the better option.

I’m worried about the cost of heating my home - what can I do?

If you're worried about paying for heating this winter, get in touch with your energy supplier.

You may be able to apply for a grant or hardship fund from your supplier, or get emergency credit if you’re on a prepayment meter.

It could also be worth joining the Priority Services Register for extra support.

What other support can I get?

You might also be able to get help from national and local government.

Household support fund (HSF)

You may be able to get extra help with energy costs and food through your local council via the HSF.

You can apply for the HSF through your local council.  

Warm home discount

The warm home discount is a one-off discount on your electricity bill. It’s applied automatically if you're eligible so there’s no need to apply.

Winter fuel payment

If you’ve reached state pension age, you could receive:

•    £200 (under 80)
•    £300 (80 or over)

For more information on steps to take if you’ve fallen behind with your gas and electricity bill payments, read our guide on what to do about energy arrears.

We’ve also put together some tips on keeping costs down when temperatures drop, such as insulating your home, sealing draughts and bleeding your radiators.