Energy bills set for hike this month - 07/02/2012

The cost of domestic gas and electricity in the UK is set to rise this month due to a combination of high prices and the cold weather currently sweeping the country.

This is according to figures from energyhelpline.com, which noted costs for fuel will be an average of £84 more than last February.

For the UK as a whole, the total bill for the month is estimated to be around £4.9 billion, up from £2.7 billion for February 2011.

As well as higher costs for gas and electricity due to tariff increases over the past year, the ongoing cold snap could see gas usage increase by a third as people seek to keep their homes warm.

The Met Office has this week issued a level three alert, warning of a "100 per cent probability of severe cold" throughout England, with this in effect until Friday (February 10th).

Director of energyhelpline.com Mark Todd said the news will be highly unwelcome for struggling families across the UK.

He said: "As we look ahead to a bleak forecast of snow and sub-zero temperatures this weekend and beyond, energy consumers will be facing a nagging doubt over whether they can afford to heat their homes."

Mr Todd added the recent round of price cuts by the Big Six energy suppliers have only slightly reversed the steep rises seen last summer, while only EDF, Scottish Power and npower have implemented their drops in time for the cold snap.

The spokesman for the website continued: "With such bad news on the horizon, this is an ideal time for [consumers] to contact a price comparison service."

Make sure you're not paying too much for your energy - compare gas and electricity prices now at energyhelpline.com or call 0800 074 0745