Watching your smart meter display has become a national obsession, as we worry about the cost of running our essential home appliances since new energy costs clicked into place at the beginning of the month.
From washing the dishes to settling down to night in front of the TV, we're probably never been as aware of the price of gas and electricity as we are now, and the internet is awash with dubious ways to save cash, such as using candles instead of lights and using barbecues instead of cookers.
There's no doubt we are facing higher energy bills than we were last year, albeit not as high as we would have been without the £400 cost of living payment and the energy price guarantee (EPG). The EPG caps average usage at £2,500 instead of the £3,549 the energy price cap was due to reach in October. But even deducting the £400 rebate, paid monthly until March 2023, the average costs still stands at £1,900 compared to £1,277 a year last winter.
