School holidays cost UK parents at least £175 extra on energy bills, a new poll suggests, and that figure predates the October price cap rise. The survey, conducted for The Sun, found families with children under 18 expect to spend significantly more on gas and electricity when kids are home all day. The true cost for many will be higher still once the 10% increase in the energy price cap takes effect.
As reported by The Sun, six in ten parents worry about the financial strain of keeping the house warm and running appliances during breaks. The £175 figure covers just the extra usage, it does not include the underlying standing charge or the looming price cap adjustment.
Who qualifies, and who doesn’t
The poll targets households with school-age children, but the problem is universal. Any home occupied all day, whether by remote workers, retirees, or carers, sees a similar usage spike. The difference is that parents face six weeks of summer holidays plus half-terms and Christmas, often overlapping with colder months when heating demand peaks.
Ofgem data shows that a typical 3-bed semi using 12,000 kWh of gas and 2,900 kWh of electricity per year pays roughly £1,750 under the current cap. Adding £175 for holidays pushes that to £1,925, before the October rise. Households on prepayment meters or standard variable tariffs feel the pinch most acutely.
What it costs a typical 3-bed semi
Breaking down the £175: extra heating during the day accounts for about £80, additional cooking and appliance use (oven, kettle, TV, computers) adds £60, and the rest comes from lighting and standby power. These figures assume a gas-heated home with average efficiency. Electrically heated homes, or those with heat pumps, may see a different split but similar total.
The Energy Saving Trust estimates that turning down the thermostat by 1°C saves about £80 a year. During holidays, a programmable thermostat that reduces heating when the house is empty for a few hours, even if someone is home later, can save £15-20 per holiday week. Draught-proofing doors and windows costs around £50 for a typical semi and can cut heat loss by 20%.
What this misses, the bigger picture
The catch is that many parents cannot simply turn off the heating. Children at home need warmth, especially during winter half-terms and Christmas. The poll highlights a structural problem: UK energy policy still assumes a 9-to-5, term-time household pattern. Smart meters and time-of-use tariffs, like Octopus Energy’s Agile or OVO’s Heat Pump Plus, can shift some usage to cheaper off-peak periods, but only for households with flexible routines.
The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards a heat pump, which can halve heating costs compared to electric storage heaters. But uptake remains low, partly because households do not connect the dots between school holidays and energy efficiency upgrades.
What to do and by when
Parents expecting the summer holidays can act now. Book a free home energy assessment through the Energy Saving Trust or your local authority. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. Install a smart thermostat, typically £100-200 fitted, and programme it for school holiday patterns: lower temperature during sleep hours and when out on day trips, warmer for breakfast and evening.
Households on standard variable tariffs should compare fixed-rate deals on Ofgem’s price comparison site. Some fixes are now below the October cap. The poll’s £175 figure is a floor, not a ceiling. With unit rates rising, every kilowatt-hour saved matters. Start with the cheapest fix: turning down the thermostat by 1°C and sealing draughts. That alone could cover half the holiday spike.
Frequently Asked Questions
Programmable thermostats are the most effective tool. Set the heating to come on only when the family is awake and active, typically 7-9am and 4-8pm. During the day, when children are playing or watching TV, a lower temperature of 18°C is sufficient. Zone heating: close doors to unused rooms and heat only the living area. Draught-proofing and thermal curtains cost little and add immediate comfort.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme offers £7,500 for heat pumps. The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) provides free heating and insulation upgrades for those on certain benefits. Check your eligibility on gov.uk, these schemes are not specific to holidays but reduce overall usage year-round.
