Overheating will add ‘£1.4bn to Brits’ energy bills’

Around 11 million consumers will overheat their homes, adding at least £1.4 billion to their energy bills. That’s according to a new report from uSwitch.com. It adds Londoners are the UK’s “heating addicts” as nearly two in five (39%) increase their thermostat above 21°C. However it states those in the East Midlands are the most temperature-conscious. […]

Consumers greet smart meters with open arms, survey says

Fears consumers would be apathetic towards smart meters are unfounded, according a new survey, which found they have in fact welcomed them with open arms. Roughly 800 smart meter users were questioned for the uSwitch.com poll and their answers were compared to those of more than 1,400 standard meter users sampled from a separate survey. […]

Davey says British Gas numbers “don’t add up”

Energy Secretary Ed Davey claimed the price rises announced by British Gas today “don’t add up”. The Lib Dem minister also said the average 9.2% rise was “extremely disappointing” news for the firm’s domestic customers, continuing to adopt the slightly sterner line with suppliers he began when commenting on SSE’s rises last week. Mr Davey said: “I […]

British Gas pledges to keep energy prices steady

The owner of energy supplier British Gas saw a huge boost in profits this year as consumers turned up their heating during the prolonged winter, increasing consumption by almost a fifth compared to last year. Centrica, which raised gas and electricity prices in December by 6%, said it would use the profits to prevent any […]

Household water bills to rise by 3.5%

Householders in England and Wales will be hit by an average of 3.5% rise in their water bills from April this year. This means the average bill will be £388 in 2013/14, which regulator Ofwat said takes into account a rate of inflation of 3%. The changes will come into effect of 1 April 2013 […]

Ofgem and E.ON’s agreement ‘sensible’

Consumer groups have welcomed the agreement between Ofgem and E.ON after the energy supplier failed to abide by the regulator’s rules. E.ON will be paying shares of £1.4 million to around 94,000 of its customers for overcharging them following price hikes in 2008 and 2011. Consumer Focus and uSwitch.com said this was a “sensible” and […]

Energy Bill’s impact ‘catastrophic’ for UK businesses

The impact of the today’s Energy Bill announcement could be “catastrophic” for businesses in the UK. Energy Forecaster, an online site that provides insight into the future of business energy, said if the increased energy costs for domestic consumers announced by DECC is applied to firms, it will seriously affect businesses. The initial details of […]

Scotland’s fuel poverty efforts ‘held back’ by UK Government

The Scottish Government’s efforts to tackle fuel poverty have been “held back” due to “mixed messages” from Westminster. That’s the view of Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, whose comment comes after the recent price hikes in gas and electricity prices by five of the ‘Big Six’ suppliers. Announcing a £6 million funding to help Scottish homes […]

Consumers ‘back in driving seat’ after Ofgem plans?

Consumers will be put “back in the driving seat” by Ofgem’s plans for simpler, fairer tariffs, say consumer groups. The positive feedback is much-needed in the sector after the confusion over tariffs earlier this week, prompted by Prime Minister David Cameron’s surprise policy ‘announcement’. Welcoming the energy market regulator’s proposals, Ann Robinson of uSwitch.com said: […]

Scottish Power next to raise energy prices

Scottish Power is the latest energy supplier to increase its domestic gas and electricity prices by 7%. The new price, which will come into effect on 3rd December, follows British Gas and npower’s announcement of a hike in energy prices last week. SSE’s new price announced earlier this year has also kicked in today. Scottish […]