1st February 2010
Bill payers reeling from the coldest
winter for 30 years are warned they now face record high energy
bills.
Research by moneysupermarket.com
reveals winter energy bills have more than doubled compared with
this time last year.
The price comparison site found the winter energy bill for an
average household has increased by 58 per cent, or £225, in just 12
months - from £391 to £616. This means that anyone paying their
bill quarterly will be awaiting a bill that is more than likely to
be the biggest they have ever received.
Furthermore, the increase of the winter energy bill year on year
has had a knock on effect to the total annual bill. Now the average
household energy bill for the year is 26 per cent more expensive
than it was last year increasing from £976 to £1,233 - leaving bill
payers having to find £257 more a year to cover their payments.
Anyone paying their bills monthly by direct debit can take
advantage of spreading this extra cost across the year, but again,
those on a quarterly payment plan will take the hit pretty much all
at once.
The winter energy bill for an average
household has increased by 58 per cent, or £225, in just 12
months
Taking a broader, and more historic view to put the current
bills in perspective, moneysupermarket.com also found that bill
payers are now paying record highs for their annual energy bill
which has more than doubled over the past six years; since 2003 the
average household energy bill has jumped from £543 to £1,233 a
year, an increase of £690, or 127 per cent.
Scott Byrom, utilities manager at moneysupermarket.com, said:
"Many people will be getting a hefty quarterly statement landing on
their doormat at anytime, that's if they haven't already received
this nasty surprise.
"This bill is likely to be the biggest winter energy bill
they've ever had to pay. It is therefore extremely important
for bill payers to address this issue and do what ever they can to
reduce their bills going forward - especially as the cold weather
and snow looks set to continue for many parts of the UK.
"With the backdrop of recession, a very cold winter and higher
than usual energy consumption, people need to seriously think about
how they will pay for their usage. The prospect of forking out for
a massive winter bill should be the catalyst to swap to the best
tariff for their region and consumption, as well at actively trying
to be more energy efficient and reducing the amount of energy they
use to save money."
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