Millions of people will now be hit by a rise of £700 a year as the energy price cap increases by 54% on April 1. The rise in the price cap means that the average household will now be paying £1,971.
A further rise could happen in October with an annual bill increasing to £2,600. The cost of living crisis is affecting many in Wales as some people are having to decide whether to pay their increasing bills or cut back on other things like food.
As the new price cap comes into effect, WalesOnline readers were asked about what they are doing to reduce their bills and whether they plan to switch their heating off entirely in April? Many said they were planning to cut down on the energy they used, with some hoping for warm weather in April so they do not need to put the heating on until next winter.
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Kath Davis said: “We’ll be wearing more clothes indoors and the constant hot water will be switched off too. As someone who was brought up without central heating as we had coal fires, it won’t be a hardship. I’d rather switch it all off till October to save money as we can do things like boil the kettle to wash dishes.”
One woman, Carol Yates, said that she was turning her heating off otherwise her bill would be more than £257 a month. Andrew Probert said: “We are all praying for very warm weather until October so that we don't need to put it on at all until then. We need more energy security in Wales. We should have been protecting our National Energy from outside forces. It's a bit late now we are in the sh*t and will be for years to come.”
Ingrid Falat says she sees herself potentially having to choose between eating or heating under the new prices. “I have no choice really. My fuel bill has gone up 300% and I'm on a low income, with no benefits. I’m less than a year away from retirement so I can see myself having to choose between warmth and food!"
Dan Daono, 43, said he was currently sat in a dressing gown with a blanket on out of fear of turning on the heating. “I live on my own and I’m paying £35 a week on electric. You would think I was powering my neighbours on that but clearly not. It’s freezing and all the stories of people struggling is incredibly worrying,” he said.
Others say that they’ll work more to cover the cost of rising bills. Amanda Jane Briggs said: “Mine will stay the same and we’ll only have it on when needed. If it goes up drastically then I will work extra hours to keep my family warm. It is what it is. To let me and my family be cold all the time just because I refuse to pay more money is daft and not happening.”
Some say they do not have the choice to cut back on heating. Elma Burns, who has arthritis, said: “If I'm not warm, I can't move about which makes it worse so bring on the painkillers.”
Kimberley Bradshaw said: “I’m going round to my Mums/Dads with the kids and come back in the evening so we can cut back! I couldn’t afford the price before, never mind when they put it up again!”
Some think energy companies should be doing more to help. Sarah Hughes said: “I still think the utility companies are taking complete advantage of this situation, even Martin Lewis, the Money Saving Expert, has been looking into it. At least the winters are milder (in the south of the UK) than they used to be but I am still worried about these huge prices."
