According to MoneySuperMarket more than half of British adults would rather put on a jumper than crank up the heat, a priority split that could explain the 29 per cent of people who have argued with or been annoyed by a cohabitee’s attitude to energy use.

The high cost of bills featured prominently in Brits’ reluctance to turn up the thermostat – 44 per cent of people said that high bills discouraged them from heating their home – but subterfuge abounds. A quarter (26 per cent) of people have sneakily turned on the heating without telling their partner, 63 per cent of whom have been caught in the act.

Stephen Murray, energy expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: “With a quarter of Brits admitting to arguing about the heating of their home, it’s unsurprising to hear that the main cause of concern lies in the cost. As we approach the winter months, these arguments will no doubt become more frequent.

“The fact that over half of Brits claim that they’d rather put on extra clothing than succumb to putting the heating on and endure high costs, shows the nation is still concerned with the price they pay for their energy. Avoiding the heating and adding extra layers can obviously bring down the bills, but it is also crucial consumers take steps to ensure they aren’t overpaying for their energy.”