It's the debate that divides the nation's couples: when should the heating be turned off? New study settles the argument once and for all
74% of British households are currently locked in a bitter battle over when the cold winter weather is over and the heating can finally be switched off, arguing an average of five times a week about it.
But the debate is finally over! According to our new research, the nation is most likely to turn the heating off when the outside temp hits 15°C or when April comes around.
Almost half of Brits (48%) admitted to being ‘secret heaters’, where they have turned the heating back on after making a push to turn it off, BUT hide it from their other half. Even though we’re eager to flick the heating switch, 75% wait an average of 5 days to see whether the weather is going to drop before taking the plunge. Despite this, over 81% have been caught out by an unexpected freeze and have secretly turned the heating back on.
The main reasons for turning the heating back on included:
- Worrying about the children being cold (42%)
- Wanting to give the house a quick blast of warm (35%)
- Not wanting to come back to a cold house in the evening (30%)
- Hating feeling even a little bit cold (26%)
1 in 6 (16%) say that their partner would rather wear three jumpers than put the heating on, while 7% confess that they dread the cold weather as they know the heating will cause arguments.
27% say they are arguing more as a result of energy bills continuing to rise, with 1 in 10 (9%) saying it is more of a bone of contention than money. According to our findings, 67% of men want to turn the heating off first, compared to 59% of women, even though nearly two thirds (61%) ended up feeling cold but pretended otherwise to their partner and family
It’s no surprise that 92% agree that there is nothing worse than feeling cold in your home.
As a result...
Nearly two thirds (63%) admit to getting frustrated when others touch the thermostat, with partners (77%), daughters (14%) and sons (13%) the most likely culprits for changing the temperature.
Other bones of contention among the nation’s couples include:
- Snoring at night (31%)
- What temperature the heating should be on when it’s on (29%)
- Leaving the lights on (29%)
- What to watch on TV (23%)
- Spending too long in the shower (21%)
- How often to clean the house (19%)
- Bathroom hogging (14%)
One in six (13%) argue about how to stack the dishwasher, while a further 13% always discuss what the water temperature should be.
*This research was commissioned by Worcester Bosch and conducted by Perspectus Global during March 2025.