The housing charity Shelter has estimated that over 1.4 million children could be at risk due to households in the UK turning down their heating, despite one of the coldest winters to hit the UK in 30 years.
Of the 5,438 people surveyed by Shelter a quarter said that they are reducing their energy usage so that they can meet their mortgage and rent obligations.
Despite the continuous freezing temperatures, the cost of heating a home has risen over the past year (although wholesale energy prices have dropped by 50% since their peak during the summer of 2008, cheaper gas and electricity prices have yet to be passed onto consumers) that energy consumers are worried over the amount that it will cost to keep their home heated during the winter.
All UK energy providers have to offer what are termed ‘Social tariffs’ for the most vulnerable customers – such as those who are classed as being in ‘fuel poverty’. However, with the continuous rise in energy bills it is also worth looking to get a cheaper energy provider as well as looking at how you can make your home more energy efficient.
Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager at Energychoices.co.uk, expressed his concern over the figures from Shelter;
“If you are concerned about meeting the cost of heating during the cold snap, read our top 10 tips to reduce your energy bills (such as how to compare energy prices) and visit the Directgov website to find out whether you may be eligible for any grants to make your home more energy efficient and look for hot water bottles as a cheap alternative.”
Posted under Cheaper Energy
This post is a Blogger on January 14, 2010
