Cold snap could cost consumers an extra £7 a week on energy bills

With more snow expected this weekend, uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, warns that the cold snap could cost cash-strapped consumers an extra £7 a week on their energy bills, adding to the misery of recent energy price hikes.

Five of Britain's big six suppliers have announced price hikes this winter, averaging out at £90 or 7% and taking the average household energy bill to £1,334 a year. While the weather remained mild, consumers were partially shielded from the impact of these higher prices. But a big freeze will see them bearing the full brunt. And if freezing weather sets in for a month, households could be facing an additional £30 on their next energy bill.

Almost nine in ten households (87%) are expected to ration their energy use this winter to save on energy bills. Last winter three quarters of households (75%) went without heating at some point to keep their energy costs down - 15% said it had affected their quality of life or health.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "Households will be bracing themselves for the big chill this weekend - yet recent energy price hikes will leave many afraid to turn on their heating. These price hikes have averaged out at £90 or 7%, which for some is simply unaffordable and leaves them with little option but to turn their heating down or off completely.

"We have reached the point where people are potentially compromising their health and well-being rather than risking higher energy bills. A cold snap can easily add an extra £1 a day onto the cost of heating a home. If freezing weather sets in for a month, households could see an extra £30 added onto their next energy bill and this will be a real struggle for some. This is why it's so important that households with an elderly resident check whether they are eligible for winter fuel payments, and why those on benefits such as pension credit, make sure they get the cold weather allowance.

"As we enter this cold snap I would urge consumers to look at the low-cost or free home insulation offers currently available. These will help to reduce your energy usage by making your home more energy efficient. These deals are disappearing and are expected to be gone by the end of December so people really do need to act fast. At the same time, moving to a more competitive energy deal will mean paying far less for the energy you use. These two simple steps are households' best defence against the high cost of energy this winter, and for many winters to come."