A new YouGov survey commissioned by Age Care Bathrooms has uncovered that 50% of people in the UK aged 50 and above found it difficult to afford heating during the winter months.
The results shed light on the growing energy affordability crisis facing older adults — many of whom are already grappling with limited mobility, chronic health conditions, or fixed retirement incomes.
Half of respondents said they either reduced their heating (25.4%) or turned to alternative strategies (24.7%) to keep warm. These included heating only one area of the house, wearing multiple layers indoors, or limiting hot water use — all compromising daily comfort.
“Behind these statistics are real people — older adults skipping baths, layering up in cold homes, or sitting in unheated rooms to keep energy bills down,” said Sam Davies, founder of Age Care Bathrooms. “We’re talking about a generation that should be able to feel safe and warm at home, yet too many are forced into energy-saving tactics that can impact their well-being.”
Widespread Adaptations
The report revealed how older adults managed the colder months:
- 60.9% wore additional clothing inside their homes
- 35.6% used timed heating to reduce costs
- 22.5% cut back on bathing to limit energy use
- 3.4% spent time in warmer public spaces like libraries or shopping centres.
Strain Felt Unevenly Across the UK
Some regions saw much higher levels of hardship. In Wales, 35% of older people scaled back their heating, and only 45.3% said they were unaffected — the lowest figure recorded. In Scotland, 27.9% reduced usage. The East of England was least impacted, with only 21.6% reporting cutbacks and 53.1% saying they had no issues.
“These regional differences tell a wider story — about inequality in infrastructure, local energy support, housing conditions, and income levels,” Davies noted. “Older adults in some parts of the UK are much more vulnerable to winter hardship than others.”
How Homes Could Be Improved
When asked which changes would make the biggest difference to their winter conditions, more than half pointed to energy-focused upgrades:
- 30.2% named energy-efficient heating
- 21.9% called for better insulation.
A Call to Action for the Year Ahead
As energy costs continue to strain household budgets and support measures remain unclear, the report suggests an urgent need for targeted intervention.
“This isn’t just a winter issue — it’s a public health concern,” Davies warned. “Cold homes can trigger or worsen respiratory problems, increase the risk of falls, and lead to isolation and poor mental health. We need to treat this with the urgency it deserves.”
Age Care Bathrooms is encouraging authorities to take the following steps:
- Revisit current heating support schemes
- Streamline access to energy grants
- Improve outreach to older adults in need.
“No one should be sitting in a cold house because they’re afraid to put the heating on,” added Davies. “There’s a growing number of people silently struggling behind closed doors — and unless we act, those numbers will only rise.”
Survey Methodology
YouGov conducted the online survey in March 2025. It included 1,008 adults aged 50 and above, with data weighted to ensure UK-wide representation.
