Rising energy bills send ‘shivers’ to consumers

The latest survey by Which? has shown that the biting cold temperatures hitting across the UK in the last few weeks has made many consumers “shiver” about rising energy bills and how to pay them.

An estimated 65 percent of those polled said they worry that the cold weather would result to spiralling energy bills. This is causing stress and worry to majority of consumers, the survey showed.  Consumers should also consider using a price comparison web site to find cheap gas and electricity prices.

Martyn Hocking, Which? editor commented, “There’s little choice but to turn the heating up when you’re faced with cold weather, so it’s inevitable that people are going to worry about their bills.”

Hocking has advised the public to check out if their providers are giving them the best deal. If not, then they should immediately switch to other providers that offer lower tariff so they could cut down on their energy bills.

The survey also revealed that some 38 percent of more than a third of consumers said they were worried about paying their energy bill this month.  Some people confessed to dipping into their own – or their children’s – savings to make sure they could afford to pay their bills, while some cut back on spending in other areas, sacrificing gym memberships or holidays.

Over 50 percent said they would just wear more clothes to keep heating bills to a minimum.

Almost a third or 31 percent had either switched energy provider or called to check they were on the cheapest tariff.

Among the alternatives used by the respondents to keep themselves warm during the cold weather were the following:

1. Put on extra clothes (84%)
2. Had a warm drink (73%)
3. Had a filling meal (40%)
4. Blocked draughts under doors/ windows (39%)
5. Stayed in bed (37%)

At least three people even admitted to making love just to stay warm.