To say this was expected would be an understatement! EDF energy has announced that its gas prices will rise by over 15% in November, with electricity prices set to rise by 4.5%. Solar Lola alluded to the possibility of this in her recent blog post ‘UK could seen 6.6m households in fuel poverty’. This announcement from EDF means that every one of the ‘Big Six’ energy companies has now implemented considerable price increases in 2011. Here’s how the BBC reported the latest price hike:
EDF Energy to put up gas prices by 15%
“EDF Energy is to raise gas prices by 15.4% and electricity prices by 4.5% from 10 November, the company has announced.
It is the last of the “big six” energy companies to announce increases in prices for domestic customers.
It said it had absorbed wholesale price rises for as long as possible before being forced to raise costs for customers.
Regulator Ofgem is studying whether higher prices are justified.
“We have absorbed rising wholesale energy, network and other costs as long as possible but must reluctantly now pass some of these through to consumers,” said Vincent de Rivaz, chief executive of EDF Energy.
The annual cost of a standard dual-fuel bill paid for by direct debit would rise to £1,165 from £1,051, the company said.
EDF follows the other five major energy suppliers – British Gas, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, Npower and E.On – in announcing price rises.
The tariffs across the industry have included price rises of up to 18%.”
Increases in gas prices essentially mean an increase in the cost of heating for most homeowners. The inherent insulation of a property is therefore vitally important to keeping monthly heating bills to a minimum. Energy efficient measures such as loft insulation and triple glazed windows and doors are two of the main ways that homeowners can improve the thermal efficiency of their home and, according to Flash Carbon its very much a case of speculate to accumulate: ‘Homeowners often dismiss the idea of replacing their current windows and doors because they think they can’t afford it. But when you consider the savings that can be made (on heating bills) as a result of having triple glazing installed, we believe that it’s more a case of can you afford NOT to replace your old, inefficient windows and doors!’
‘Many window installation companies now offer fantastic finance packages that enable homeowners to spread the cost of having triple glazed windows installed, and in some cases the savings made as a result will more than cover the cost of having triple glazing fitted in the first place.’
Homeowners – can you afford NOT to have triple glazing installed?
Installers – can you afford NOT to be promoting triple glazing?