Energy Price Rises and Building Heat Loss
With Christmas just around the corner (hasn't this year gone fast!) household energy bills are set to rise as colder weather sets in across the UK and higher electricity use occurs due to Christmas decorations.
EDF Energy, British Gas, Npower, Scottish Power and Scottish and Southern Energy, 6 of the biggest energy firms serving the UK, have announced price rises which could add more than £100 to the average gas and electricity bill before Christmas. For thousands of cash strapped consumers who have suffered from the slow economic growth this year, this is extremely bad news brining diminishing hopes for many surrounding a financial risk free Christmas.
The big news here however isn't that there has been a price hike from energy firms with the lead up to Christmas (there always is one, thanks energy guys!) but rather where higher prices will effect customers. As This Is Money pointed out, SSE customers in the Southern region of the UK whom pay for their energy by direct debit will see a rise of 10.7 per cent, or £126. While lucky customers in the East Midlands will end up paying just 6.4 per cent or £75 more annually.
Overall, then, energy really is becoming a post code lottery with prices being based around where one lives in the UK.
This move by energy firms has not gone un-noticed, though. Ofgem have received a flood of complaints from consumers who are rightly concerned about these latest fuel hikes yet curiously, Ofgem have decided to take a rather non active approach.
A spokesman from Ofgem said on this matter recently ‘It’s for suppliers to explain their prices to customers – but we are aware that there are price differences between different regions'.
If you are a cash strapped consumer living in an area of the UK where energy prices will sky rocket this could be the time to weigh up your options for the future. If you would like a hassle free thermal imaging survey carried out on your property to save energy, we'd be happy to help. Simply get in touch today.
