One million pensioners struggling to pay energy bills

With the coldest few days of the winter last week a charity has warned that more than a million pensioners would struggle to pay for their energy over the next few months.

Age UK was commenting after the latest poll by the comparison website Comparethemarket on 2,000 people aged over 65.

With night temperatures plummeting by up to -13C, more than 11 per cent of those asked, equivalent to 1.3 million, said they couldn’t afford any increases in their bills.

A total of 12 per cent said they had cut back on their heating, which had caused their health to suffer, while more than a fifth said they ate less or bought cheaper food to pay for their fuel.

The charity says that each winter one person dies from cold every seven minutes, but many elderly people turned their heating down despite the health risks.

“Those figures are very worrying,” said green energy expert Ron Fox, of Noreus Ltd, “but householders can take easy steps now.

“Firstly they need to look at changing energy supplier and secondly they should look at improving their home’s insulation and thirdly take advantage of energy saving ideas.”

Last year bills went up by an average of 14 per cent or £240, to £1,625. The poll showed that more than two million pensioners who were on suppliers’ default standard variable tariffs paid the most compared to those on fixed rate tariffs.

The website said that those who changed supplier last month saved an average of £200.

“It really does pay to shop around,” Ron said. “The best way is to enter your tariff and energy usage from your most recent bill on a price comparison website and it will suggest the cheapest supplier.”

He said in most cases people can organise the switch online and it should be completed within weeks with no interruption to supply.

But Ron said people can take more steps to keep their homes warmer without it costing them any extra money.

He suggested:

• At night close doors, blinds and curtains. But during the day keep internal doors and curtains open to allow warm air from free solar heat to circulate around the home.
• Don’t have a window open when the heating is on.
• Don’t leave computers and TVs on standby when not being used.
• Don’t spin dry clothes but hang them out to dry.
• Place an aluminium reflector sheet behind radiators on outside walls.
• Turn off lights when not in use and replace incandescent light bulbs with compact fluorescent or LED ones.
• Buy energy efficient appliances when replacing a washing machine, dishwasher or fridge freezer.

Ron added that that one big way to cut your bills is to insulate and draught-proof your home. “Although there is an initial outlay it is a good long-term investment and can cut bills by up to 45 per cent as well as reducing the energy needed for heating,” he said.

For more advice on saving energy contact Ron on 01782 756995 or go to www.noreus.co.uk