Brits 'turn down central heating systems to save money'

Article date : 21/07/2010

Last winter, 13 million UK households turned down their central heating systems in order to save money, it has been revealed.

According to uSwitch.com, this action saw Britons putting their health and quality of life at risk, as the UK was plunged into one of its coldest winters on record.

And according to Consumer Focus figures, 1.4 million consumers using pre-payment meters ration the amount of energy they use, meaning they are limiting the amount of heat they use when it is most needed.

Indeed, uSwitch.com reveals that 12 per cent of people have revealed cutting back on their utilities use has affected their health or quality of life, while 18 per cent are worried about paying their next bill.

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at the price comparison site, says: "As a result of this winter, a third of people are now more likely to adopt energy efficiency measures to help them bring their heating and energy costs down."

In order to reduce their energy payments, Britons may wish to out the money they have saved through not heating their homes this summer towards a new condensing boiler.

Such an appliance can reduce bills by £235 annually, according to the Energy Saving Trust.

Written by Jasper Cullen

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