177
Expected sofa hours per adult this winter
~ 10 bn
Estimated sofa hours across all UK adults
1.5 bn
Litres of water are lost through leaks every day
75%
Only think about heating or plumbing when something goes wrong
The Hiber-Nation report
Britain is settling in for sofa season
From winter films and hot chocolate to Sunday roasts and blankets, the colder months give us every excuse to stay indoors. New Metro Plumb research of 2,013 UK adults reveals that 94% have something they look forward to about winter. But there’s one big thing we all keep putting off.
The average adult expects to spend almost 14 hours a week sitting or lying on the sofa. Across a 13-week winter, that’s approximately 177 hours – more than seven whole days. Extrapolated across the UK adult population, the figure approaches 10 billion hours.
We’re also planning more than five cosy nights in and almost five films at home every week. But there’s a less comforting finding in the data: many households wait until their heating or plumbing develops a problem before paying attention to it.
Regional rankings
Where are Britain’s biggest winter hibernators?
Norwich takes the crown as Britain’s sofa capital, with respondents expecting to spend 221 hours on the sofa over winter. Liverpool follows on 209 hours, ahead of Bristol on 199.
See how the top ten surveyed cities compare.
Winter favourites
What makes the perfect winter night in?
Cosy nights at home top the list of what Brits love about winter (62%), followed by the anticipation of Christmas (37%), Sunday roasts (34%), hot chocolate (33%) and favourite winter films (32%).
What we look forward to
- Cosy nights at home 62%
- Christmas anticipation 37%
- Sunday roasts 34%
- Hot chocolate 33%
- Winter films 32%
Favourite winter films
- Home Alone 48%
- Elf 30%
- Harry Potter 28%
- Love Actually 27%
- Die Hard 27%
Favourite comfort foods
- Sunday roast 63%
- Stew 42%
- Soup 41%
- Shepherd’s / cottage pie 36%
- Jacket potatoes 33%
Generational differences
Gen Z are Britain’s biggest winter lovers
Seven in ten Gen Z respondents (70%) say winter is their favourite season, compared with 54% of Millennials, 35% of Gen X and 19% of Baby Boomers.
For many, the winter routine is about more than just weekends: working from the sofa, wearing extra layers and moving to warmer rooms all feature in the survey.
The preparation gap
But are our homes ready for Hiber-Nation?
We spend hours getting comfortable for winter, but our research suggests many of us give less attention to the systems that keep our homes warm and dry.
75%
Only think about heating or plumbing when something goes wrong
41%
Have ignored at least one potential water, leak, damp or mould warning sign for a week or more
35%
Have experienced a cold radiator
46%
Have never heard of power flushing
22%
Have delayed a boiler service for at least a week
22%
Have ignored a dripping tap for at least a week
Potential problems are easy to overlook. A radiator that won’t warm up, a persistent dripping tap or unexplained damp might be signs that something needs investigating. Getting them checked early can help reduce the risk of disruption later.
Practical advice
Your winter health checklist
Before settling in for another cosy night, take a few minutes to check your plumbing and heating. Here are four simple places to start.
Check your radiators
Cold spots or slow heating may be caused by trapped air, circulation problems or sludge. If problems persist, seek a professional assessment to determine whether powerflushing or another repair is appropriate.
Look for hidden leaks
Check for damp patches, dripping taps, running toilets and unexplained changes in water pressure. If you suspect a hidden leak, explore Metro Plumb’s leak detection and repair service.
Monitor your heating
Repeatedly falling boiler pressure shouldn’t simply be ignored or continually topped up. Have recurring issues assessed. Gas boiler servicing and gas work must be carried out by a Gas Safe registered engineer.
Protect exposed pipework
Inspect accessible pipes in colder spaces for leaks and signs of damage. Consider suitable insulation for vulnerable pipework and learn about frozen pipework repairs if a problem develops.
Download your home heating guide
Central heating systems can help keep those cosy nights and movie sessions in frequent flow. But only when they’re well maintained. Without regular maintenace the risks of breakdown increase. Explore how to keep your radiators performing at their best, top tips for improving heating efficiency and how to protect those vital cosy, winter nights in our home heating guide.
Ready to enjoy winter without plumbing worries?
Whether you’re dealing with a cold radiator, a hidden leak or another plumbing issue, Metro Plumb’s local specialists can help you find the right solution.
About the research
Metro Plumb commissioned a survey of 2,013 UK adults, conducted from 6 to 9 October 2026. Results were not weighted. Winter projections use a 13-week period; the national sofa-hours extrapolation uses an estimated UK adult population of approximately 56 million. City rankings include only locations with at least 50 respondents. Percentages reflect separate survey questions and may overlap.