“We need to work together to provide customers with information on safely reducing energy bills this winter,” said Angela Terry, CEO and founder of energy consumer awareness group One Home.
Reducing household energy bills this winter continues to be a vital discussion point within the industry. Various measures can be undertaken by households to do so however this currently is not being made aware to the general public.
Energy suppliers have an opportunity to inform and educate their customers with Terry having also stated that “customers trust David Attenborough, documentaries and energy suppliers for factual information the most”.
One method which could be utilised to reduce energy bills is by providing sufficient insulation for buildings Andrew Ward, chief executive retail at Scottish Power said.
“We have a huge problem ahead of us this winter and a significant problem to get out of this. But there are so many opportunities around domestic homes to save energy. One crucial method is to better insulate houses, however we (at Scottish Power) will only be able to insulate 3,000 homes this year – it is not enough,” Ward said.
Insulation is not a new technology either. The government could have forecasted the impending difficulties this winter and accelerated insulation within homes – an area that has been highlighted by industry as one of the best methods in reducing gas bills over the winter period.
Earlier this year, Sepi Golzari-Munro, deputy director at ECIU, said in response to the government’s British Energy Security Strategy: “Soaring gas prices are responsible for adding at least £500 to energy bills, forcing another 2.5 million households into fuel poverty. Without help to insulate their homes to bring down gas bills there may be little prospect they can afford to keep their homes warm.
“It’s all the more striking, since insulation is the public’s top priority in the current gas crisis with 84% backing it as the best way to cut our reliance on gas and cut bills. With any extra UK gas production having no effect on prices, it begs the question whether having gas that households can’t afford to use counts as ‘energy security’ to them.”
Terry also detailed the potential of insulating homes to the Energy UK audience having said that currently “insulation and energy efficiency are not being talked about enough during the energy crisis”. This could also be recognised as a long term strategic investment, something that has been severely lacking in response to the current crisis.
“We’re in an awful mess – we need crisis leadership and a clear path out of the current situation (long term solutions),” Terry said.
