Higher Energy Prices About To Hit

Two more energy suppliers’ price rises come into effect in the next week. Both E.ON and SSE energy bills will rise putting families under further financial pressure.

With these increased energy prices, E.ON’s average energy bill be £1,239 a year and SSE’s will be £1,265.

Five of the ‘big 6′ energy suppliers have announced two price increases within the last year.

The only one that hasn’t so far announced a second rise is EDF and as Ann Robinson, Director of Consumer Policy at uSwitch.com, says: “with wholesale prices now falling there is a glimmer of hope that this will encourage EDF Energy to continue to stay its hand.

“If lower wholesale prices become a consistent trend then I would urge all suppliers to react quickly to alleviate the pressure on customers.

She added: “I would urge consumers to focus on reducing their winter bills now. Moving to dual fuel, paying by direct debit and signing up to a competitive online plan will reduce the price you pay for your energy.”

MoneyHighStreet comments: “With families under immense financial pressure already, energy increases are bound to tip some people over the financial edge. Getting the best energy deal possible is of course vital but so too is looking at ways you can cut down on the amount of energy you use by becoming more efficient.

For example old boilers can waste money and energy. British Gas currently have a £400 boiler scrappage discount available if you arrange a quote to trade-in your old boiler by 2 October 2011 and buy and have installed a new Worcester boiler from British Gas.

There are other things you can also do to save money on your gas and electricity bills, including insulating your loft, turn appliances off and switch off lights. It all helps.

For reference, according to uSwitch average bill sizes are as follows: