Energy Bills - Commissioned Piece

In our News and Feature writing module we were set a commissioned piece, where we had to construct an article on the subject of energy bills. We had to gain quotes on the topic and make an interesting and informative news article, and this is my offering on the subject.

It’s winter. After tackling the blustering winds, drizzling rain and icy temperatures, all you want to do is snuggle up on the sofa in the warm comfort of your home…but this security and satisfaction comes at a price. And a rather expensive price at that.

Government policies have resulted in a dramatic increase in energy bills in current times, leaving many people to suffer from what has rapidly become known as “fuel poverty”. Residents have to splash the cash on electricity and gas bills which have upped considerably, making it harder to afford everyday essentials such as groceries and other bills such as the water supply.

So why the increase? The reasoning behind this rise in cost lies within the government and their decision to provide more support for the fuel poor, and to cover the expense of carbon and renewable energy.

Unfortunately, the costs will continue to increase. A worrying statistic which has recently cropped up will take effect in just under a decade, and will have a significant impact upon occupants. According to the Department of Energy and Climate Change, government policies will issue a dramatic increase in the cost of electricity by 2020, seeing the total price rise by 27%. In its annual energy statement it was claimed that the increase will see the cost of an average bill grow by almost £280.

Susan Pudge, a single mother from Sheldon, is one of the many people suffering from the soaring cost of energy bills. The unemployed mother of three pays £25 a week for electricity and £10 a week for gas, and the economic elevation has resulted in her having less money to spend on food and non-utility bills. This has consequently led to an on-going financial struggle, having to constantly monitor purchases and remaining faithful to a restricted budget.

Susan has her own ways of cutting down the costs: “I have the heating on as little as possible to save money and only the living room is heated. I buy energy saving light bulbs and more frequently use the shower instead of the bath.” She believes that the solution to this significant problem lies in the hands of the energy providers: “Energy companies should consider their customers first, instead of focusing their attention mainly on shareholders.”

Out of the six leading energy providers, five of them announced price increases of up to 24%. Npower increased their gas tariffs by 15.7% and electricity expenses rose by 7.2% from the beginning of October.

However, it isn’t all bad news. The Department of Energy and Climate Change further stated that their energy saving strategies will more than compensate for the surge in expense; as its policies on energy-efficient products, home insulation and smart meters would result in any average household being £94 better off overall.

Help has been offered from the government, who have launched a “Green Deal” consultation; a programme encouraging energy efficiency. The project provides support for poorer households and helps consumers reduce their energy bills. This is done through the obtainment of loans through the “Green Deal”, which will save people £53.

Cutting down on both electricity and gas usage will make for a more energy efficient lifestyle. Whether that may be simply switching off plugs instantly after using them or investing in specific products, there is always a way to reduce energy utilisation and subsequently, cost.

David Burman from British Gas offered his energy-saving tips: “I would recommend turning the thermostat down and increasing loft insulation. Investing in double glazing would be preferable, but it would also be wise to use energy efficient washing machines and energy saving light bulbs.” 

Research conducted by the consumer watchdog Which? revealed that customers can’t calculate energy tariffs, and this confusion over domestic bill prices has prompted British Gas into taking action.

The leading energy supplier has promised to run a more transparent billing system with a guarantee that tariffs will be simplified. This change has been set into motion to encourage customers to stick with the company, and by regaining trust in British Gas, consumers can more easily comprehend their energy bills.

British Gas will ensure customers receive a complete bill breakdown so they can understand all of the costs, and the major supplier will offer both fixed and variable tariffs.

Ray Halfpenny, an energy consultant from Marston Green, claimed the cost of energy bills has increased because the price of crude oil and coal generation has risen. He said there are offers made to those who are the most vulnerable in the cold winter months: “winter payments are made to the elderly and the infirm to help them manage their extortionate bills, but these are only very small amounts.”

Ray believes that the key to solving this on-going issue is to address the government, namely to make them advertise energy-saving resources more prominently: “I think the best way to tackle the problem of extortionate energy bills is to push forward green issues. Using solar panels, wind power and hydro power will help the environment, so the government should promote these more.”

Ray also had some energy saving tips which will save people a substantial amount of money: “Use low energy light bulbs and invest in double glazing. New technology in the form of a quality, up-to-date boiler (which is more energy efficient) can cut down energy usage. Loft insulation is also a viable option, or simply even just adjusting the radiator valves on your thermostat will help.”

Unfortunately, decreasing the cost of energy bills in the future seems unlikely. “The expense of energy bills may change, but they will only ever go up in price.” Ray admitted.

It seems that in order to be more energy efficient, becoming “green” is the way forward. And with chilly December fast approaching, it may be a necessity to use energy saving products…after all; we do want the luxury of snuggling up on our sofas, without the worry of paying excess amounts of money!