‘Sumbrrr’ – over a third of people turned on their heating in June

• More than third of people (37 per cent) put the heating on in the first two weeks of June
• The cold start to the summer saw 40 per cent of people resort to winter jumpers to keep warm
• People in Northern Ireland, Scotland and the West Midlands were most likely to have cranked up their central heating

Over a third of the UK population (37 per cent) were forced by cold weather to turn on their central heating in the first two weeks of June¹, reveals new research from Direct Line Home Insurance. Reinforcing the unexpectedly cold start to the summer, 40 per cent of people even confessed to pulling on their winter jumpers. This is in stark contrast to last year when the hottest June ever was recorded². Direct Line has coined the term ‘Sumbrrr’ to describe the unusually cold start to what should be a hot season of outdoor celebrations, with garden parties, beach weekends and young people celebrating the end of their exams in parks across the country.

Summer is not usually the time to consider putting on the heating to keep warm, but this year many people have been forced to dial up the thermostat. This can be beneficial, not only to keep people warm, but to avoid issues with pipes and plumbing. It is advised to keep the thermostat set to around 14 degrees and whilst the temperature is not usually expected to drop far below this during the summer months, if it does turning on the heating can help prevent issues with pipework.

The bad weather has been a hot topic of conversation across the county this June as the weather seems to be constantly changeable. Those living in Northern Ireland have been switching on their heating more than any other area of the UK, with almost two thirds (63 per cent) dialling up the thermostat to keep warm. This is closely followed by residents of Scotland (45 per cent) and the West Midlands (43 per cent).  Those in London and the South West were the least likely to follow suit in twisting the dial up. The East of East of England (50 per cent) and the South West (46 per cent) however, have been the most likely to pull out their jumpers in June to keep warm.   

Table 1: Regional breakdown of how the UK population is handling cold June weather 

Source: Direct Line Home Insurance

The traditional start of barbeque season has chilled off this year, as one in 10 (12 per cent) people aged 18-34 reportedly cancelled an outdoor shindig in June due to the weather being so unpredictable for this time of year.  As well as cancelling BBQs, one in twenty people who would normally have the garden furniture set up by now still have it stored away.

Given the unseasonal chill in June, over a quarter (27 per cent) of people are still wearing winter jackets. Though the majority of these are women with a third (33 per cent) claiming to still be wearing them. Almost half (49 per cent) of women reporting wearing winter jumpers the past couple of weeks, compared to only a third (31 per cent) of men. More than half (51 per cent) of women recorded sitting under a blanket on the sofa in early June, compared to just a fifth (22 per cent) of men.

Older people, those aged 55 and over, were 13 percentage points more likely to wear their winter jumpers than those aged between 18-35 (46 per cent compared with 33 per cent).

Dan Simson, Head of Direct Line Home Insurance said: “June is usually the time for getting outside to enjoy the long summer evenings. However, the first two weeks of June have been unseasonably cold and wet, forcing many people back indoors. Switching the heating back on or huddling under a blanket have been the norm for many of us this past couple of weeks.

“Whilst we experience cold weather in the summer months, it’s just as important to consider what temperature your thermostat is set too. Keeping your home set at around 14 degrees all year helps to avoid any potential problems. We can appreciate this isn’t something you’d usually consider at this time of year, but it’s something to be aware of when temperatures drop.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

¹ The research was conducted by Opinium among a sample of 2,000 UK Adults across the UK aged 18+. The data was collected between 14 June 2024 - 18 June 2024. Opinium Research is a member of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.

² Weather reports from the Met Office for June 2023

For further information please contact:

Direct Line Group:

Chelsey Wheeler 

Deputy Head of News and Issues 

Email: Chelsey.wheeler@directlinegroup.co.uk 

PR team:

Fleishman Hillard

Email: directlinegroupmedia@fleishman.com 

Phone: 07482107207 

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

Direct Line and UK Insurance limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.