According to a brand new report, half of all UK households are are concerned about the running cost of their homes, with 35% worried about hot they will afford to heat their homes this winter.

The Energy Squeeze report from trade comparison site MyBuilder.com, looks in detail at how UK households are feeling about running their homes this winter, the behavioural changes rising costs are causing, and the solutions that are being blocked due to lack of knowledge or funds. The report offers a glimpse into the impact of increased energy prices and the pressure of staying warm this winter. 

The statistics suggest that close to half of Brits (46%) feel that their bills are out of their control, while 8% of respondents have turned to credit or borrowed from family or friends to pay an energy bill. This concerning figure rises to 15% among the 18-34 age category.

The research also reveals that:

  • More than three quarters of Brits (76%) admit to watching how much electricity they are using – two-thirds (66%) are monitoring their gas usage for heating and cooking.
  • Nearly a fifth (18%) stated that they are taking shorter showers, while over four in ten (41%) admit that they plan to only heat the room they are in over winter, as opposed to their whole homes. 
  • 46% of homeowners feel that the government is not providing enough financial support to those who want to make their property more environmentally sustainable and energy efficient. 
  • One in ten of respondents say that energy costs are causing arguments in their households.

Andy Simms, an expert from MyBuilder.com, says that the combination of rising energy bills and old housing stock is a concerning issue: “These findings show the real ways people are feeling the impact of rising energy costs in their homes. Most of our housing stock was built before anyone thought much about insulation, so a good share of what we spend on heating goes straight outside.

“What stands out is how people are trying to cope: heating one room, cutting showers short, putting off a boiler service, borrowing money to pay a bill. It’s a sign of the day-to-day strain in Britain’s households. My worry is that some of those savings come back to bite you. A boiler that hasn’t been looked at is more likely to let you down in the coldest week of the year, and that’s when a small saving becomes a big bill. More concerning still is the safety risk if boiler maintenance is neglected.

“There’s a real appetite to make homes more energy efficient, yet people don’t know what help they’re entitled to and don’t feel the government is doing enough to support them.”

To access the full Energy Squeeze Report 2026 for detailed data, charts, and insights into the trends shaping the future of UK homes, download here