More than two million households are preparing to spend winter without central heating, as rising energy bills force families into drastic decisions.
The number taking this step has surged by nearly a quarter in just one year, leaving millions braced for a cold winter ahead.
Experts warn the scale of the heating switch-off poses a significant health risk that could define the cost-of-living crisis this winter.
Millions refusing to use central heating this winter
The survey found that more than two million households will avoid turning on their central heating completely this winter - a sharp increase compared with 2024.
People living alone are most likely to make this choice, with one in ten solo households saying they will get through winter without radiators. Families with young children are less likely to go without, but still one in twenty are planning to turn the heating off altogether.
Rising living costs are driving this change. More than half (54%) of those surveyed said energy bills were behind their decision, while three-quarters (77%) admitted they are worried about being cold over the coming months.
This reflects growing concern that financial pressures are forcing households into difficult and potentially harmful compromises.
How households are adapting to rising energy prices
With central heating off the table, many households are relying on other ways to stay warm.
Nearly half (45%) said they will turn to alternatives such as hot water bottles, heated blankets and extra clothing layers. Around one in five households plan to use small portable heaters, log burners or open fires to warm only the rooms they need.
One retired homeowner Raquel Griffiths, 56, from Llantrisant in South Wales, said she now uses ceramic heaters to heat only the rooms she occupies.
She explained: "I’m on my own in a four-bedroom house, and there’s absolutely no need to heat over 60% of the rooms. I can set the temperature I want, and switch it on just before I need it. I’ve noticed my energy bills dropping, especially from February and March last year when I started using these heaters.”
Experts warn turning heating off can lead to health problems
Uswitch has urged households to think carefully before switching off their central heating completely.
Although turning your heating off will reduce energy bills, experts note that leaving large areas of a home unheated can lead to damp and other risks during the colder months.
Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch, said: “It’s concerning to see that the number of households planning to get through winter without heating has increased by a fifth this year, with solo dwellers most likely to take this drastic course of action.”
He warned that cold homes can pose health risks if temperatures fall too low: “Spending winter in a cold home can be bad for your health, and people are advised to set their thermostats to between 18 °C and 21 °C even when trying to save money.”
Instead of turning heating off altogether, Uswitch suggests households check whether they qualify for financial support, improve insulation where possible, and explore more economical ways to use central heating to reduce bills.
Uswitch also offers energy saving tips to keep your house warmer by making small changes like draught-proofing, thicker curtains and using heating more efficiently to help families stay safe without resorting to extreme measures.
