Households worried about cost of energy bills this winter

With another bitter winter predicted to be on the way, new research from uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service, reveals that 61% of households are worried about the cost of their winter energy bills this year. Worryingly, two in ten households (20%) are already struggling to pay their energy bills, while almost three quarters (73%) or 19 million households have already cut back on their energy usage or intend to do so in an attempt to cut their bills.

With the memory of the last harsh winter still fresh in consumers' minds, almost three quarters of householders (72%) are now more aware of the cost of their energy. This has already prompted almost half (48%) to make their homes energy efficient, with a further 24% saying they are now more likely to introduce these measures because of the cold last year.

The fact that last winter's cold weather has encouraged energy efficiency is positive. But, unfortunately, there is also a downside with 17% of households either going totally without heating or without adequate heating last winter for fear of their bills going through the roof. The worry is that people could feel forced to self-ration in this way again if this winter turns out to be as severe.

Cutting back through energy efficiency is one thing, but cutting out on heating or sacrificing other things in order to keep the heating on is a completely different ball game. Incredibly, just over half of households (55%) were able to afford to heat their homes last winter without having to sacrifice anything - 45% had to make some sort of compromise. If homes are made more energy efficient, this issue of going without heating or other important things, such as buying food (5%), lighting (5%) or a hot shower or bath (5%) on a freezing night, may no longer be necessary.

Under the CERT scheme (Carbon Emission Reduction Target) energy suppliers have a pot of money allocated to boosting energy efficiency. According to the research, two in ten households (20%) have been contacted by their supplier offering help in making their homes energy efficient. Consumers can also ask their supplier for help under this scheme - unfortunately less than one in ten (9%) have done so and over half of consumers (51%) are unaware that they can ask their supplier for help.

Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: "The high cost of energy coupled with last year's bitter winter has had a lasting impression on British householders. In some ways it has acted as a force for good, encouraging people to make their homes more energy efficient in time for this winter. But it isn't all positive news and the big concern is for those who have been left behind, who cannot afford to make their homes energy efficient and who look set to face another winter of self-rationing to stop their fuel bills going through the roof.

"It is vital that the right balance is achieved between being energy efficient and being energy deficient - the idea of people going without energy in the winter has got to set alarm bells ringing. Over half of households aren't aware they can speak to their supplier about getting help in making their home more energy efficient. This is such an easy win for suppliers and the Government.

"Before cutting back on energy usage, I would urge consumers to speak to their energy supplier about the help they could get with energy efficiency and to then ensure that they are paying as little as possible for the energy they use by moving to a more competitive energy plan. By taking these steps hopefully households can keep a lid on their winter fuel bill without having to take drastic and potentially dangerous measures."