The Guardian: "Just 40 years ago, ice used to form on the inside of windows, central heating was for the lucky few..."

"UK government-commissioned report reveals changes in the way homes have been heated and powered in the last 40 years"

Link to web site

"Today's homes, according to a government-commissioned report showing the changes in how the UK heats and powers its homes, are kept 4C warmer on average than they were in 1970, have more than 30 lightbulbs and an array of energy-guzzling appliances like 40-inch TVs that would have been unimaginable then.

"But, possibly because far more of us live alone or in small households now, we use 18% less energy per household than we did 40 years ago and we pay about £200 less per household each year."

"... The government report coincides with the launch next week of the biggest ever public campaign to end fuel poverty. An alliance of 170 children's and older people's charities, health and disability groups, environment and consumer groups, trade unions and others will be seeking to improve energy conservation in homes using the money the government raises from carbon taxes."