UK consumers could save £1bn a year on energy bills by switching supplier and installing better efficiency measures, the government has estimated.On Monday, it launched an “Energy Smart” campaign to encourage people to save money on their bills.
Rising prices will add £5.2bn to energy bills this year, causing problems for people on low incomes.
Half of all households have never changed supplier, although first time switchers could save up to £100 a year.
Consumer groups are concerned that rising fuel bills over the last year will cause problems for vulnerable people this winter.
Rising wholesale oil prices have pushed up residential bills. The average gas bill has increased by 18% this year, and the cost of electricity has risen by 14% on average.
Installing energy efficiency measures considerably reduce heat loss and energy wastage, thus reducing bills.
