London, Wednesday 1st July 2026: New research by Utility Warehouse, known for easing life admin by offering energy, broadband, mobile and insurance together in one place, has revealed that UK parents are bracing themselves for the annual “Summer Hell-iday”, as three quarters (79%) admit having children at home all day during the holidays can be frustrating.

Whilst the majority (91%) of parents say the school holidays are one of their favourite times of year, there’s clearly a juggle, balancing work, childcare and rising household costs. 

Other familiar “hell-iday” moments include endless snacking between meals (40%), snack wrappers appearing everywhere (39%), teenagers spending hours on their phones (30%), staying in pyjamas all day (19%) and cooking breakfast at midday (14%).

Nearly half of parents (46%) say constantly hearing “I’m bored” drives them up the wall, while a third (32%) say they struggle to get children away from the TV.

But the thing that really affects parents aren’t the small bugbears – it’s the habits costing the household. When it comes to household energy use, summer puts the home into overdrive.

Parents report gaming for hours (32%), lights left on in empty rooms (28%), constant fridge opening (22%) and chargers left plugged in everywhere (15%) as key sources of frustration.

Almost three quarters (72%) of parents say they are frustrated by how much energy their children use, with over half (59%) regularly reminding them to switch things off and 44% actively telling them to watch their usage – an average of nine times a week. 

Utility Warehouse found that these small habits build up to make a big dent in household budgets – over a third (37%) of parents say their household bills rise by an average of £175 during the school holidays, leaving eight in ten (80%) worried about the cost.

To help cover the extra expense, two thirds (66%) of parents say they save throughout the year and over a third (40%) rely on cashback savings to manage the summer spike. The Utility Warehouse Cashback Card* is available to customers and lets them save as they spend. New customers may be eligible for a welcome bonus of up to £150 to go towards summer spending.

David Walter, Chief Commercial Officer at Utility Warehouse, says it’s a great way for parents to get ahead this summer: "We're all looking forward to the summer holidays, but having kids at home all day can give the household budget a real workout. Between the non-stop snacks, extra energy usage, and family activities, costs quickly add up.

"Parents tell us they just want a simple way to stay on top of the household admin. Bundling energy, broadband, mobile, and insurance together with Utility Warehouse just makes sense. And our Cashback Card helps our customers save as they spend, on everything from the weekly shop to days out. We can save families money, cut down paperwork, and make tracking spending a doddle during the busiest months of the year."

With over half (51%) of parents saying they are already bracing themselves for the six-week stretch, and three quarters (76%) describing the school holidays as one of the most stressful times of the year, Utility Warehouse has teamed up with HCPC Registered Psychologist & Founder of Private Therapy Clinic, Dr Becky Spellman, to support families this summer. 

Dr Becky Spelman said: “The summer holidays can put even the happiest households under pressure as daily routines change and families spend much more time together at home. Small frustrations, from lights being left on and constant snacking to extra noise and mess, can quickly build up, particularly when parents are also juggling work and rising household costs. 

“Rather than striving for a perfectly tidy or perfectly organised summer, it helps to agree a few simple household expectations from the outset so everyone understands how they can contribute. Keeping expectations realistic and focusing on shared responsibility can help reduce everyday friction and make the holidays more enjoyable for the whole family.”

Dr Spelman also offers some expert tips on how to diffuse tension over the summer holidays, setting the tone right from the offset:  

1. Agree the house rules before everyone gets annoyed: Do not wait until the fifth long shower or the third pile of plates. Sit down at the start of the holidays and agree to a few simple expectations around energy use, like showers, food, screens, noise, chores and shared spaces. Keep it short and practical.

2. Make the rule specific: Kids often tune out vague complaints like “be more considerate.” Say exactly what you mean. For example: “keep showers to a reasonable length” 

3. Give older children some control: For those with teens at home, you’ll find they respond better when they feel respected. Instead of dictating every detail, offer choices. Ask whether they would rather empty the dishwasher after lunch or take bins out in the evening. The task still gets done, but they feel less controlled.

4. Do not turn every irritation into a character flaw: Leaving lights on does not mean your child is selfish! Focus on the behaviour you want changed. This keeps the conversation calmer and leads to less defensiveness. 

5. Build in small moments of connection: A lot of arguments soften when children feel noticed for something other than mess, food and screens. A walk, a shared film, or asking about something they care about can change the tone at home. Connection makes cooperation much easier.”

Alongside these handy tips, Utility Warehouse also offers practical ways to help make life a little easier for families this summer. By taking away some of the background noise of life admin, households can lift a real weight off their shoulders and focus more on the things that matter.

Earn a little extra on summer spending: The Utility Warehouse Cashback Card helps families get more back from the everyday spending that adds up over the holidays, from food shops to family treats, by earning cashback on purchases that can go towards future bills.

Be smart in the kitchen: The kitchen is filled with simple ways to save. Only use your dishwasher when it's full – this'll reduce the amount of water you use. For smaller families, lowering your dishwasher use by one run per week for a year could save you an extra £12! Also, using your washing machine at 30°C instead of at a higher temperature and reducing your washing machine use to one run per week could save you around £24 a year. 

Make household life simpler: Bringing essential services like energy, broadband, mobile and insurance together with Utility Warehouse in one easy-to-manage place helps reduce the stress of juggling multiple bills and providers during an already busy time of year!

Get a smart meter: With a smart meter, families can actually see their energy usage. They’re an easy way for kids to understand how energy use affects costs, and a great way for parents to take steps to save money. Why not set the family daily challenges to keep energy use under a certain amount? It’s a fun and interactive way to nudge kids to be more energy conscious. 

Less time on hold, more time together: With Utility Warehouse Partners, families can speak to real people when they need support, making it easier to get straightforward answers when it matters most. Find your local Utility Warehouse Partner here.

By reducing the background noise of life admin and bill comparisons, Utility Warehouse helps give families back more time for the good stuff. Find out more at https://uw.co.uk/