Women on top in the battle of the thermostat!

Forget the weather - inside homes, debates about energy use are heating up.  

With rising energy costs, couples are increasingly clashing over thermostat settings and other energy-related issues.  

New research by the comparison and switching site Uswitch.com, shows some interesting findings on household energy disputes.  

• 42% of households argue over heating costs, with a staggering nine billion of such quarrels taking place each year.  

• When it comes to the temperature of the thermostat, women come out on top. In fact, women are 32% more likely to win these energy-related arguments. 

Most common energy-related arguments 

But energy disputes aren’t all about the thermostat.  

Here’s a rundown of the most common sources of domestic tension: 

• Leaving lights on: 49% of households argue 47 times a year about lights being left on in empty rooms. 

• Cost of heating: 42% argue about heating costs 31 times a year. 

• Open doors to the outside: 41% argue 33 times a year about doors being left open. 

• TV usage: 39% argue 39 times a year about the TV being left on when nobody’s watching it.  

Other common household energy-related arguments include: 

• Energy bills: 38% argue about the overall energy costs. 

• Thermostat settings: 37% argue about what temperature to set the heating at. 

• Heating while not wearing a jumper: 36% argue when people keep the heat on while not dressing warmly enough. 

• Windows open: 35% argue about open windows. 

• Appliances on standby: 32% argue about appliances being left on standby. 

• Fridge door open: 32% argue about leaving the fridge door open. 

• Games console use: 30% argue about too much time spent on consoles. 

• Water usage: 30% argue about the cost of showers and baths. 

• Tumble dryer: 28% argue about using the tumble dryer. 

• Washing machine: 28% argue about running the washing machine when it’s not full. 

• Dishwasher issues: 27% argue about poorly stacked dishwashers leading to extra loads. 

The kids are doing better  

On a more optimistic note:  

• 15% of parents say their kids are better at saving energy now than they were a year ago. 

• 9% say their children are the leaders of the household when it comes to saving energy.  

Reducing energy bills without cutting back  

Even in the winter months, there are simple ways to reduce your energy bills without feeling the pinch.  

From turning your boiler down to setting your washing machine to 30 degrees Celsius, we list the ‘quick wins’ here.  

What to do if you’ve fallen behind on your energy bills 

If you’re struggling with the rising cost of energy, you’re not alone. With the average annual energy bill now £1,717 and 6 million households in Britain in fuel poverty, the cost-of-living crisis is hitting hard.  

If you’re in debt to your energy company, the first thing to do is speak to your supplier about any help they can offer, such as reduced payment plans or grants. 

From energy supplier grants to the household support fund, we list all the available support and how you can qualify here.  

It’s also probably a good idea to get free debt advice. 

We can check you’re claiming all the benefits available to you, offer budgeting advice and talk you through the range of debt solutions available. 

All our advice is free and impartial. Some debt solutions are also free, for others there are fees.