Millions of Britons are cranking their thermostats to 22°C or higher, making homes from Lossiemouth to Land’s End hotter than Lanzarote, new research reveals.
This is some 3°C above climate change recommendations and is adding hundreds of pounds to energy bills, in a time where costs are soaring thanks to a surge in wholesale prices.
The Household could be potentially save up to £128 over the year by turning the thermostat down by one degree, according to Uswitch.
The Committee on Climate Change recommends thermostats are set no higher than 19°C in the battle to combat global warming.

One in five UK households set their thermostats to 22°C or higher – hotter than Lanzarote
On average, UK homes are heated to just under 20°C, fractionally lower than last year and marginally above the recommended level for combating climate change.
However, many people in the country are more comfortable turning up the heat and will likely adjust the thermostat to compensate for the cold weather like that experienced by the nation in the wake of Storm Arwen.
The comparison website found that one in five households set their thermostats to 22°C or higher.
Furthermore, the research found that 1.4million households heat their properties to 25°C or higher — warmer than it currently is in Sydney, Australia.
This is a big reduction compared to last year, when 2.7million households said they heated their homes to 25°C or above.
13.3% say they’re lowering their thermostats in the new year. This will save them money and help reduce carbon emissions.
Norwich residents are most likely to lower their thermostats in winter. One in five people living there said that the temperatures would be below last year.
Glasgow comes in second with 19% of the temperature dropping, followed closely by Newcastle (17%) and Bristol (16%).
However, only 7% say their temperature will drop in Edinburgh or Southampton this year.
The research also shows that younger people set their heating to 20.5°C on average, while those aged 55 and over heat theirs to 19.4°C.
City | The percentage of households that will lower their thermostats this winter |
---|---|
Norwich | 21% |
Glasgow | 19% |
Newcastle | 17% |
Bristol | 16% |
Cardiff | 16% |
Manchester | 16% |
Birmingham | 14% |
London | 13% |
Nottingham | 10% |
Leeds | 9% |
Liverpool | 9% |
Edinburgh | 7% |
Southampton | 7% |
Source: Uswitch |
However, Age UK recommends older people keep the rooms they use most at 21°C.
Will Owen, energy expert at Uswitch, said: ‘By turning thermostats down by just one degree, people could potentially cut their energy costs by an estimated £128 a year.
“Many people turned down the thermostat in the last twelve months. Some people will be prompted to lower the thermostat to save money on their monthly bills. Others may want to decrease their carbon footprint.
“At this season it is essential to remain warm. Anybody who is concerned about how they will pay their bills for winter can contact their energy supplier.
Opinium’s November research among 2000 adults was conducted online.