UK Edition
Their grandparents kept out the cold by layering up, filling hot water bottles, and other tricks like coating their windows in cling film.
But it would appear today’s youth have inherited none of the energy-saving savvy of past generations – and some do not even know what a draught excluder is.
Young people are not confident enough to use traditional methods to stay warm, according to a survey of millennials and Generation Z, roughly those born after the year 2000, conducted by energy charity Nesta.
The charity found one in five adults under 35 said they would not feel confident turning down their thermostat (19pc), while more than one in three (36pc) would not be comfortable bleeding radiators.
And, according to the BBC, students are more oblivious to easy ways to improve energy efficiency, with several reportedly telling the Today programme that they did not know how to use a draught excluder.
Draught excluders can reduce heat loss under doors by as much as a third. They are typically fabric-lined and filled with insulating material such as foam. A basic draught excluder sells on Amazon for around £10.99 although they can also be made by hand, using rice or lentils as stuffing.
Draught-proofing windows and doors could save households approximately £60 a year, according to the Energy Saving Trust.
The charity also points out that homes without draughts are comfortable at lower temperatures, therefore enabling residents to turn down their thermostat.
Nesta found one in three across all age ranges did not feel confident turning down boiler flow temperature despite it providing one of the highest energy savings.
This can save around six to eight per cent on gas bills, according to a report by the Heating and Hot Water Council.
Energy experts have said reducing the flow rate on a combination boiler could slash more than £100 off heating bills without households noticing a drop in temperature.
The survey, of 2,000 people, also revealed 28pc of those aged 18 to 34 said they did not feel confident putting foil or reflectors behind radiators, compared to just 10pc of over-55s.
Nesta’s Katy King said younger people were “less sure about making simple changes” around the house to improve efficiency.
She added: “The Government’s new public information campaign now has an opportunity to encourage younger people by showing that it isn’t difficult to take the energy-saving actions that will save them the most money.”
The Government is preparing to launch an £18m public information campaign to help people save energy.
Ministers hope more public messaging will help households save £400 a year by urging them to reduce their boiler flower temperature, turn down radiators not in use, and draught-proof windows. By 2030, the Government hopes to cut Britain's energy consumption from buildings and businesses by 15pc.
The campaign was originally suggested by former Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg but was vetoed by Liz Truss during her brief tenure as Prime Minister.
But Rishi Sunak and Business Secretary Grant Shapps resurrected the plan last month ahead of the changes to the energy price guarantee.
Rocio Concha, of consumer champion Which?, said: "It is concerning that Nesta's research found that many people might be missing out on saving more than £100 on their annual heating bills due to a lack of confidence or knowledge of how to turn down their boiler's flow temperature rate.
"Consumers must be given enough support and information by the Government and energy providers to help them through the difficult months ahead."
USwitch recommended households keep thermostats set to around 18C degrees. Households that turn their thermostats down by 1C degree could slash their heating bills by up to 10pc, according to the Energy Saving Trust, a charity.
Richard Neudegg, of USwitch, said: “With temperatures dropping rapidly, it’s important to track your energy usage and change your habits in a safe and manageable way while keeping warm.”