Energy Debt – The UK is Hit Hard
As the cold weather has just hit us, so has the fact that the number of people in the United Kingdom with energy debts has risen by a fifth for gas and a quarter for electricity. Infact it is estimated that around one and a half million people are in energy debt across the nation.
Charles Hendry, the Energy Minister said: “Recent energy price rises in combination with other rising costs mean many household budgets are under huge pressure.”
It is estimated that energy prices in the UK increased by approximately 7% last winter and it is expected that energy prices will rise further in the coming months. It is expected that energy prices could rise up to 14% further this Winter which could push more and more people into debt.
Charles Hendry, The Energy and Climate Change Minister said: “Recent energy price rises in combination with other rising costs mean that many household budgets are under huge pressure, so it’s more important than ever that consumers who are at risk of falling behind on their bills know what their rights are and what help is available.”
This Winter Only 55% of customers in the UK trust their energy supplier to help them if they have trouble paying their debt. On top of this, one in six people plan to heat just 50% the rooms in their house. And even worse, one in 20 people will be heating only one or two 
rooms in their homes. This will equate to, one in 10 in the poorest social group.
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, you should contact your energy provider immediately before the debts start to get out of control. You should also check that you aren’t missing out on any potential benefits or tax credits.
Lets now look at some ways in which you can lower your energy costs.
There are actually many ways you can save money just by making a few changes to your home. Some are more expensive than others but all of them are worth considering. The average UK household could save nearly £300 per year on its fuel bills by being more energy efficient. What makes this figure more impressive is that the average energy bill is just less that £1,300 per year.
When it comes to energy efficiency, insulation is a good place to start. A hot water tank cover can cost as little as £10 but it could end up saving you save you £40 per year. A sneaky little energy efficiency is to place kitchen foil behind your radiators. This will reflect the heat that is generated meaning you use less fuel to heat your house.
By using a self-adhesive foam and rubber strips, doors and windows can then be sealed easily. You could save more than £50 a year by sealing up any gaps between the floors and skirting boards. After that you should look at insulating your loft and walls. Proper insulation for your walls can save hundreds of pounds every year. Also look at double glazing as almost one fifth of heat loss comes from windows.
