UK price cap warning as energy bills 'will stay high for next three years'

A mother puts her hand on the radiator while holding a baby
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


UK householders facing another winter of rocketing energy bills fear their heating costs will stay high for at least the next three years. The Ofgem price cap change means the average annual bill has gone up to £1,1717 as of October 1, a rise of £149 on the previous level of £1,568 - and almost £500 more than before the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine that led to the current energy crisis.

A survey by smart thermostat manufacturer tado found 84 per cent did not think their energy bills would fall to the 2021 level within the next three years, while 67 per cent were more worried or more aware of their gas and electricity costs than they were five years ago. Thirty-nine per cent say they lowered the thermostat temperature in their home last winter to save money.

The loss of the Winter Fuel Payment for up to 10 million pensioners has added further concerns, the German tech company said. Christian Deilmann, the CPO and co-founder of tado, said the energy price cap rise and survey results clearly indicated people should take every possible step to control their heating bills and protect themselves from spiralling costs.

READ MORE:

Mr Deilmann said: "The energy price rises this winter show how vulnerable we all remain and why it is important to take control of your energy consumption. Our survey reveals the vast majority of people are realistic that they will continue to face high energy bills and they are more concerned about that than five years ago. But it is never too late to protect yourself from price hikes with simple energy-saving measures."

Tado suggested adopting the following measures this winter:

  • Choose the right temperature: The room temperature should be kept at an appropriate level in different living areas. The recommended temperatures are between 18 and 21C in living rooms and bedrooms and around 22C in bathrooms. Temperatures can be lowered at night or when no one is home.

  • Programmable thermostats: Investing in programmable thermostats is worth it. They automatically regulate the heating according to a set schedule, while tado says its devices offer extra savings of 22 per cent on average through turning down the heating when you leave your home or turning it off if it detects a window has been opened.

  • Window sealing: To avoid energy loss, the sealings of doors and windows should be checked for gaps and then repaired if necessary.

  • Thermal insulation: When the roof, walls and windows are well insulated, heat loss is minimised. The heat cannot escape to the outside and cold air cannot penetrate.

  • Proper ventilation: It is advisable to ventilate the rooms regularly but briefly and efficiently. Shock ventilation, i.e. opening the windows wide for a few minutes, is better than windows being left permanently open.

  • Close doors: Not all rooms in a home are heated equally. Therefore, to save on heating costs it makes sense to close the doors otherwise the cold air from the cooler rooms drags down the temperature in the warmer ones.

  • Bleed radiators regularly: Air in the radiators can hinder heat transfer.

  • Do not cover radiators: There should be no furniture or curtains in front of the radiators as these hinder the heat emission.

  • Use solar energy the smart way: During the day, when the sun is shining, it is worth opening the curtains to passively use solar heat. To retain warmth, the curtains should be kept closed at night.

Ofgem said the rise in the price cap was the result of higher prices on the international energy market, due to increasing geopolitical tensions and extreme weather driving competition and demand for gas, which determines the price of wholesale electricity. The price cap will next change in January with analysts predicting a very slight fall that offers a glimmer of hope to hard-pressed householders.

You can get all of today's essential breaking news on the BirminghamLive WhatsApp. Join our dedicated community to receive the latest updates. For more on navigating the cost of living crisis, sign up for our Money Saving Newsletter which is sent out daily with the top stories on benefits, pensions, finances, bills, and shopping discounts.