Nearly half of adults are finding it difficult to afford their energy bills

The number of adults in the UK finding it difficult to afford their energy bills has increased throughout this year, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The data, released in October, shows that almost half of adults (45%) who paid energy bills, are finding it difficult to keep up with payments. 

Ofgem data has also revealed that the number of UK households in arrears on their energy bills soared to record levels in the second quarter of this year.* This news follows the government’s announcement that the cap on energy unit costs would last only six months instead of the planned two years.

Helen Rolph, price comparison expert at Quotezone.co.uk comments: “Energy is an incredibly confusing topic right now. As the clocks go back this weekend and evenings become darker and colder, many people are wary of turning the heating on, out of fear that household bills will continue to skyrocket.  Our recent survey shows the biggest financial worry people have right now is the cost of energy, with 73% of people noting it as their top concern.

Quotezone.co.uk has shared recommendations for reducing the cost of energy bills as we head into winter.

1.The cheapest unit of energy is the one you don’t use – so think twice before you turn things on; 

• Watch out for vampire devices which are using energy to do very little (some smart TVs can use a lot of energy on standby just because certain features are enabled – for example “wake up via WIFI” is thought to use almost as much as having the TV turned on)
•  Insulate your home – the biggest offenders are usually the walls (35%) and the roof (25%), if you don’t already have these well insulated then look out for support schemes to help reduce the costs of these upgrades. 

2. Smart meters let people see when they are using energy, but you can still track your usage with a standard meter – set regular reminders to read your meter more often to see what you’re using. Make sure your bills are correct by sending meter readings to your supplier to ensure you are being billed for the correct usage. 

3. Heating is the biggest energy use in homes – there is a lot of debate around how best to save money, but there are some key considerations: 

• Maintenance – annual servicing keeps the boiler running efficiently (and helps ensure it is safe).  
• Bleed radiators – air can get trapped in radiators and that causes corrosion and reduces efficiency 
• TRVs – most homes have thermostatic radiator valves, adjust these to the right levels for each room – when the room gets too warm and the boiler is still on, they shut off the radiator and save you money (set them to lower levels for less frequently used rooms, but don’t turn them off completely or you risk causing other problems like damp in the room) 
• Boiler temperature – all gas and oil boilers fitted after April 2007 must be condensing. These boilers stop the heat going up the chimney, but only if they are correctly configured – keep the temperature dial on the boiler under 75 degrees or this cannot happen. 
• Plan ahead – if you are not going to be home, remember to change your heating settings – smart controls allow you to do this from anywhere, so if your budget can stretch you could save a lot.

4. Stay fresh and ventilate your home each day: open the windows a little for a short period to let moisture out in the mornings (and after showering or cooking). Dry air is heated faster than humid air, so this can help save money. If you dry clothes indoors, try to do it in an unoccupied space (like a bathroom or garage) and increase the ventilation in this area. 

Quotezone.co.uk helps around 3 million users every year find savings on household bills and essentials, with over 400 providers across 60 different products including niche items such as home insurance, personal loans, mortgage comparison UK and business use car insurance. 

Reference – * https://www.theguardian.com/money/2022/oct/22/more-than-two-million-uk-households-are-in-debt-on-their-electricity-bills