According to a new survey by Daikin UK, British homeowners are preparing to wrap up indoors this winter as concern over the cost of heating dominates seasonal money worries.
Nine out of ten (89%) homeowners say they are concerned about rising fuel bills and the cost of heating their home this winter, according to a new survey. Three in every five (61%) are planning to wear a coat, fleece of thick jumper indoors, while 30% say they will be going to bed early on cold nights to save money.
The survey of 1,000 homeowners, commissioned by Daikin UK, also revealed that three quarters (76%) say that rising fuel bills are of a greater concern than the cost of Christmas, meeting the monthly mortgage payments, the prospect of rising interest rates, or the cost of maintaining a family car.
Last month, a Which? report into household energy costs revealed consumers are paying an average of £410 more a year for energy compared to a decade ago.
The Daikin commissioned survey shows concerns over rising fuel costs are genuine, with 47% saying they are either extremely or very concerned (17% vs 30% respectively). The survey also indicates that, contrary to common assumptions, it’s not just the elderly who are worried about rising fuel costs: one in five (20%) of 25-34 year olds and 17% of 35-44s say they are extremely concerned.
Awareness of alternative heating systems that use renewable energy sources – and are therefore not reliant on expensive fuels such as gas or oil - is good, with 61% of homeowners acknowledging some level of knowledge. However in depth knowledge of these technologies is slight, with less than a fifth (17%) saying they’ve had direct experience, and awareness of the government’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme is low with only 35% saying they’re heard of it.
Daikin’s domestic heating expert, Nancy Jonsson, said: “It’s alarming to see the scale of concern amongst Britain’s 18 million homeowners over the cost of heating their homes this winter. It’s great people are taking practical action to reduce their use of their central heating and keep costs down, but this shouldn’t be necessary when alternatives means of heating without a reliance on expensive fossil fuels are available and affordable.”
She continued: “The research does highlight a positive level of awareness of alternative heating technologies that make use of renewable resources such as air or solar energy, but also a chronic lack of direct experience and of the financial support available to make the transition. Frightening fuel bills are not going to go away so homeowners are urged to consider a longer term solution.”