Brits get turned on at 6pm

AT 6PM ON SATURDAY 2ND OCTOBER, HOUSEHOLDS NATIONWIDE WILL SWITCH ON THEIR HEATING FOR THE FIRST TIME • 73% of the UK hesitate switching on their heating because of the rising cost of bills • The average homeowner will crank up the heat to 22.6 degrees in the winter, making UK homes hotter than Miami! • One in ten households leave their heating on all day Research reveals that the average Brit will turn their heating on for the first time this Saturday 2nd October. At exactly 6pm households will turn up the heat just in time for the X Factor, swapping a night out for a night on the sofa. According to research from Confused.com, 46% of Brits will opt to spend evenings at home in front of the TV from this weekend as the cold, dark nights draw in so it’s a good time to search for the best deals on energy tariffs. In a bid to keep warm, the average homeowner will crank up the heat to 22.6 degrees in the winter months, making UK homes hotter than Miami! The big heating switch on is likely to send fuel bills soaring so money conscious Brits might think twice as data reveals turning the thermostat down by 1% can cut fuel bills by 10%*. Research by the comparison website revealed one in ten households leave their heating on all day to return to a warm house after work, with nearly one in four confessing they leave it on all day for their four legged friends. Gareth Kloet, Head of Energy at Confused.com says, “73% of the UK hesitates switching on their heating because of the rising cost of bills, but homeowners don’t have to reach boiling point. Now is the time to look at what you’re paying for your energy, and consider shopping around for a better deal. It’s OK to put the heating on but just be mindful of cranking up that thermostat! Simple things like making sure your doors are closed can be an effective way of retaining heat whilst keeping your fuel bills low. It’s about being savvy and making sure you search for competitive prices.’ Research also identified other popular methods adopted by the UK to battle the winter chills. Nearly three quarters of the UK (70%) reach for extra jumpers, over half of the UK (54%) will switch on the kettle more regularly for a hot drink and nearly half will seek warmth in a cuddle with a loved one. For further information please contact James Duffy or Dan Lambden at the Confused.com press office at Cake on 0207 307 3100 / confused@cakegroup.co.uk -ENDS- * Data supplied by the Energy Saving Trust Notes to Editors Research Methodology The survey involved a national study of 2,000 people carried out by One Poll. The data collected was used to calculate an average date the UK switch on their heating. In a multiple choice question on methods to keep warm: Extra jumpers 70% Hot drinks 54% Extra socks and gloves 47% Cuddling up with a partner 46% Hot water bottles 35% Thermal underwear 12% Electric heaters 11% Electric blankets 11% Wood burning fires 9% Exercise 3% Months of the year the UK is most likely to first turn the heating on: October 55.35% November 27.3% September 17.35% Day of the week the UK is most likely to first turn the heating on: Saturday 30.55% Sunday 24.45% Monday 24.3% Friday 9.90% Wednesday 3.70% Tuesday 3.60% Thursday 3.50% Time the UK are most likely to first turn the heating on: 18:00-20:59 43.05% 06:00-09:59 26.80% 14:00-17:59 12.80% 10:00-13:59 7.20% 21:00-23:59 5.85% 03:00-05:59 2.90% 00:00-02:59 1.40% About Confused.com Confused.com is one of the UK’s biggest and most popular price comparison services. Launched in 2002, it generates over one million quotes per month. It has expanded its range of comparison products over the last couple of years to include home insurance, travel insurance, pet insurance, van insurance, motorbike insurance, breakdown cover and energy, as well as financial services products including credit cards, loans, mortgages and life insurance. Confused.com is not a supplier, insurance company or broker. It provides a free, objective and unbiased comparison service. By using cutting-edge technology, it has developed a series of intelligent web-based solutions that evaluate a number of risk factors to help customers with their decision-making, subsequently finding them great deals on a wide-range of insurance products, financial services, utilities and more. Confused.com’s service is based on the most up-to-date information provided by UK suppliers and industry regulators. Confused.com is owned by the Admiral Group plc. Admiral listed on the London Stock Exchange in September 2004. Confused.com is regulated by the FSA.