EDF customers fear a cold winter after off-peak electricity rate almost doubles

Economy 7 users tend to be living in purpose-built flats, or older-style social housing without a gas connection – and are often on lower incomes. Photograph: vadiar/Getty Images/iStockphoto

EDF has left customers on its Economy 7 tariff wondering how they will be able to heat their homes this winter after the energy supplier almost doubled the price of its off-peak night-time rate.

On 1 January, most home energy users in Great Britain saw their bills rise by an average of 5% after the regulator Ofgem raised the price cap.