More than half of households in Northern Ireland are switching off their heating even when their homes still feel cold, new research indicates, underscoring the persistent strain of high energy costs on daily life.

The findings come from the Power to Switch Home Energy Survey 2026, the fifth annual study from Northern Ireland's only compare-and-switch energy service. Drawing on responses from 1,782 households, it offers one of the longest-running insights into how people are managing energy costs and shows many are continuing to change how they heat, power and live in their homes.

Headline results include: 72% of respondents reported their energy bills had risen over the past year, with those increases averaging £372; 56% said they had turned off heating despite their home still feeling cold; 81% said they were now more careful about how they use energy; and almost one in five (19%) said they had stayed elsewhere for longer to avoid heating their own home.

The report suggests shifting prices are reshaping daily routines. Respondents described wearing extra layers rather than turning on the heating, warming only the rooms they were using, switching off appliances at the socket, closing curtains earlier to retain heat and altering cooking and laundry habits to cut costs.

Aodhan O'Donnell, Founder of Power to Switch, said: "Five years of surveying households tells us something important. People are making difficult decisions every day about how they use energy and how they manage their household budgets. "The figures tell one part of the story, but the comments people shared bring it to life. Families are making compromises they never expected to make, whether that's delaying putting the heating on, staying elsewhere to keep warm or constantly looking for new ways to reduce their energy use."

Affordability remains a major concern. Almost half (49%) said paying bills or topping up a keypad meter had become more difficult over the last year. Among keypad customers, 61% said they had run out of credit and could not afford to top up immediately, while 20% of households using home heating oil said they had delayed ordering oil despite fears of running out.

Confidence about being on the best deal is also low. More than a third (38%) said they were not confident they were on the most suitable tariff for their needs, while only 21% felt very confident they already had the best deal available.

O'Donnell added: "Northern Ireland has a unique energy market, with many households relying on home heating oil and keypad meters, creating pressures that people elsewhere in the UK don't always experience.

"While we can't control energy prices, we can help people make sure they're not paying more than they need to. Comparing tariffs regularly and understanding what's available remains one of the simplest ways households can take back a bit of control over their bills."

The Power to Switch Home Energy Survey 2026 was conducted between 10 March and 4 April 2026 and collected 1,782 responses from households across Northern Ireland. The full report examines consumer attitudes, behaviours and experiences on energy costs, affordability and switching. Read the full report: powertoswitch.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/PTS-Home-Energy-Report.pdf