Jingle Bills: Decking the halls sends usage soaring

• New research from Utility Warehouse reveals the hidden cost of Christmas hosting, with Brits blaming extra heating (58%) and festive lights and decorations (32%) for bill spikes.

• Despite the rising costs, Brits are refusing to dim the lights or turn down the heat, embracing community and togetherness - even if it means spending more.

• Amid rising seasonal costs, Utility Warehouse shares simple tips to help households make up what they spend on extra heating, cooking and festive hosting.

London, UK: Monday 1st December: New research* from Utility Warehouse (UW) reveals that Christmas comes with a hidden cost, and it’s not just presents and turkeys. Festivities are causing Christmas bill spikes, with extra heating (58%), more cooking (57%), lights and decorations (32%) proving the biggest contributors. 

According to the survey conducted of 2,000 households across the UK, the average home is seeing a £24 rise in their energy bills during the festive season.Younger households are especially feeling the pinch, with almost half (45%) of 25 to 34 year olds saying their decorations alone push up their December energy bill - compared to just 20% of over 65s.

But even as energy costs creep up, the UK’s festive spirit is hard to dim. Four in five people (78%) say they refuse to limit how many guests they welcome over Christmas, showing that togetherness matters more than the extra cost of hosting. This feeling is especially strong among those aged 55 and over, with a remarkable 94% prioritising being surrounded by loved ones during the holidays.

Amid rising Christmas costs, Utility Warehouse is in Brits’ corner. UW customers can earn money back on everyday spending through the Utility Warehouse Cashback Card where cashback takes the form of money off the household’s next bill. With up to £150 welcome bonus** credit available for new customers taking multiple services, households can make up what they spend on festive hosting.

David Walter, Chief Commercial Officer at UW, said: "When hosting friends and family at Christmas, we cost up presents, food, and drink, but not necessarily the cost of heating, cooking, and all those festive decorations. Utility Warehouse is in our customers’ corner, delivering below-price cap energy tariffs for our multiservice customers, as well as the UW Cashback Card. New customers can get up to £150 bonus credit on their Cashback Card when they join us, with cashback earned now coming off their January bill.” 

We’re a nation of top hosts with many of us going the extra mile to make guests feel comfortable. A third (33%) are happy to turn the heating up - even if they wouldn’t normally - choosing hospitality over watching the thermostat.

Still, beneath that determination to keep Christmas joyful, financial worries are shaping plans for many families. Almost a third (31%) have scaled back traditions in an effort to save money, highlighting the growing pressure on households as the festive season approaches.

To help households combat energy costs over Christmas, UW is offering simple, festive tips:

Put your decorations on a timer

With lights shining indoors or outdoors, try to use them only when you’re home - or, for outdoor displays, just during the hours it’s dark. Setting them on a timer can help make sure they come on when you want them to, and switch off automatically when you head out.

Enable sleep mode on devices
Working from home during Betwixtmas? Switching devices to sleep mode when inactive cuts unnecessary power drain — especially during long festive downtime when you’re ‘working hard’.

Get a smart meter to stay on top of  festive spikes
Smart meters give an instant, clear view of what’s driving energy spikes at home - and with 86% of people saying they save money after getting one, they’re one of the simplest ways to avoid festive bill shocks. As you plug in Christmas lights and decorations, a smart meter can highlight real time spikes, helping you tweak your usage and save money on your bills.