With the energy price cap rising today (1 October), the latest analysis from energy and climate think tank the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU) paints a grim picture of the UK’s energy bills over winter.
Energy bills will rise by 10% to an average of £1,717 per year for the average dual fuel tariff, paying by direct debit, from today. Even with households expected to cut their gas and electricity bills in response to rising prices by an estimated 15% and 10%, respectively, the ECIU predicts that home energy bills will still be around 55% higher than before the energy crisis began in 2022.
This means that a typical home with an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of C can expect to pay around £900 for energy across this winter, compared to £580 before the crisis, with less efficient homes paying even more.
If high prices do not end up suppressing demand, the difference is even harsher, with winter energy bills forecast to be around 75% higher than pre crisis levels.
Commenting on the analysis, Jess Ralston, energy analyst at the ECIU, said: “Millions of households are facing higher bills this winter in cold homes that simply leak heat. Investment in improving energy efficiency through government schemes has dropped over the past decade and fallen even further in the first six months of this year. At a time of energy bill crisis, this makes very little sense.
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