08 January 2007

Energy Costs Force 23% of Population Cut Back on Heating | Cheap Car Insurance and Home Insurance from Confused.com

New research from energy comparison search engine Confused.com, has revealed that almost a quarter of households are cutting back on heating due to increasing fuel bills, and up to 60% of people are opting to wear warmer clothes rather than turning up the thermostat.

Customers of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), who from this month are facing energy rises of 12.2% for gas bills and 9.4% for electricity, are expected to be particularly hard hit and are being urged to go on-line to find a cheaper alternative or face energy bill increases in excess of £100 for the average household.

Gareth Kloet, Confused.com's energy 'Switch Doctor', commented: 'Our research has shown that a significant number of people are cutting back on heating because of cost. While this may not be a bad thing for many, our concern lies with the elderly or families with young children who are already struggling to pay their bills and may be forced to keep their heating off for longer during what is typically the coldest period of the year.

'Rather than simply switching off heating and suffering from the cold to save money, we would hope that people first switch on to shopping around. This alone could save hundreds of pounds enabling families to keep warm during the cold winter period.'

SSE customers who fail to search and switch to a cheaper provider could cost themselves up to £200 in unnecessary bills. Worryingly 68% of SSE's 4.5 million customers in the Swalec, Southern and Scottish Hydro areas have not switched, despite news of the hikes. Nationally SSE has over 7 million customers.

Editor's notes:

• Confused.com surveyed 520 people in November/December to assess concerns about energy and attitudes towards energy costs
• Most people fail to switch because they are concerned that they could be cut off, or could end up paying two bills. By simply providing details to your new supplier, taking a final meter reading and cancelling your direct debit with your current provider once you have transferred supplier, the switching process is complete.
• Other useful ways to cut your bills include replacing old boilers, installing loft installation, preventing draughts by filling gaps and using energy saving light bulbs.

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