Heating: When is it too early to put the heating on? Following winter fuel cuts and energy price cap rise

With recent cool temperatures, the energy price cap rising and the cuts to the winter fuel allowance, the month people turn their heating on may be later than usual this year.

We spoke to members of the British public to find out whether they’ve had their heating on yet, and ask when is too early to put it on?

In Liverpool, one woman said: “I don’t think it’s ever too early to put the heating on because I’m always very cold. But I understand the price of electricity is ridiculous so I now just get another jumper on. Probably, the heating on, end of November”.

Another woman said: “It’s turned off now because I can’t afford to heat all the rooms. I think mine will go at the end of November, beginning of December”.

In Birmingham, one man said: “My wife and I have different temperature controls. I fight to keep the heating off, and encourage her to put thicker sweaters on, but I suspect if it gets chilly, the heating will go on. I’m in the fortunate position that it's not going to affect me hugely, but I think what the government is proposing to do to the winter fuel allowance to pensioners is absolutely outrageous”.

Another man said: “The energy cap has gone up yesterday [October 1], it went up 10%. It’s not going to affect me really but I do feel sorry for the people who can’t afford the energy. It is way too expensive”.

In Glasgow, one man said: “I always think October is the line, if you go before October, you’ve gone too soon”.

Another member of the public said: “I’m the coldest person alive so the heating has been on in September, but normally it is October”.