Energy Depression Hits UK this Week: Massive Bills and More Misery Ahead

UK households will be hit this week with massive quarterly energy bills, reaching £350 for a typical household

(PRWEB) April 9, 2008 -- We will face 'energy depression' as people pay the price for high energy costs this winter. And, with energy markets signaling that wholesale gas prices will go up by 40 per cent next winter, Mark Todd at energyhelpline.com believes that the news is just going to keep getting worse.

Todd commented:

"Huge energy bills will be hitting the doormat in 10 million UK homes this week, costing people £3.5bn in total and causing 'energy depression'. The impact of energy suppliers' price rises is now hitting the pockets of those who have not yet switched to a cheaper deal.

"If that wasn't depressing enough, there's no cheerful news on the horizon either. While wholesale prices will drop a little over the summer, a 40 per cent increase next winter will force suppliers to increase prices once more. energyhelpline.com predicts 15-20 per cent increases on gas and electricity by the end of next winter - making the quarterly bills for this time next year the highest - and most depressing - ever. Annual energy costs will reach new heights, at over £1,200 for a typical home and possibly up to £1,300 a home.

"In real terms, we will soon be paying the highest energy bills this country has seen for 20 years, maybe of all time.

"Those still paying by quarterly bill can fight the depression by switching to cheaper tariffs, which often mean paying by monthly direct debit - so as well as saving around £200 a year, their bills become much more manageable. And with 5 million people having chosen to switch energy (http://www.energyhelpline.com/) suppliers in the last year, you will be in good company.

"People need to take action now to protect themselves from energy depression worsening. Good deals are out there, but suppliers are not going to hand them to those who seem content to pay over the odds for gas and electricity."

If you'd like more information, further background on the predictions, price comparison tables, interviews or photography, please let me know.

*A typical UK energy bill at present is £1,050. This quarter, people will pay 35 per cent of their yearly gas bill and 30 per cent of their electricity costs, covering the increased heating and lighting bills for the cold dark winter months. So, a typical bill this quarter is likely to make up a third of a yearly bill, at around £350.

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