Old people suffer increased heating bills

Old people face problems keeping warm this winter after five of UK’s big six energy providers announced price increases.

“We have saved £500 on our pre-payment card and hope it will be enough for this year’s heating bill.” Morticia Margret, a 73-year-old lady living in Crookes with her husband David, said, “Though we have £200 support from the government’s cold weather payments for over 60-year-old people.”

Morticia has been an EDF Energy customer for last few years and she will be faced with increase of 10.8% after 7th December.

Its rivals British Gas, SSE, nPower, Scottish Power, Scottish & Southern Energy, have all raised prices by an average of 9% this year.

E.ON is the last of the "Big Six" energy providers remaining not to have announced a price increase. Earlier this year, the utilities company promised not to raise the cost of standard residential prices in 2012.

Customers are encouraged to shop around to find cheaper deals for their energy needs, often from smaller companies.

“I want to change my energy company from SSE to OVO Energy this year because the prices of Britain’s ‘Big six’ energy providers are all too expensive.” Vicki Cooper, a 68-year-old retired primary teacher said.

Rocketing energy prices have forced the cost of heating a home up by 63% since 2008, with consumers now having to shell out an eye-watering £587 a year just to keep warm, according to new analysis by uSwitch.com, the independent price comparison and switching service.

This increased the risk of the health of elder people. According to a new analysis by Age UK, the Britain's leading advocacy group for old people said, cold homes are costing the NHS in England £1.36 billion every year. The majority of the elderly who die in winter die from heart attacks, strokes and breathing problems, worsened by the cold.

Morticia said: "I wear more and eat more in winter at home than before to save some money. On my really bad days I feel like the inflamed joint is literally burning because of cold. ”

Two hundred people, most of them elderly, will die in Britain of cold-related diseases every day this winter, according to Age UK’s report.

The department of Health gives five pieces of advice to keep warm and keep well for over 60s people:

• Heat your home well. By setting your heating to the right temperature (18-21℃ or 64-70 ℉), you can keep your home warm and your bills as low as possible.
• Get financial support. There are grants, benefits and sources of advice available to make your home more energy efficient, improve your heating or help with bills. It’s worth while claiming all the benefits you are entitled to.
• Eat well. Food is a vital source of energy, which helps to keep your body warm. Try to make sure that you have hot meals and drinks regularly throughout the day.
• Get a flu jab. You can get a free jab from your GP to protect against seasonal flu if you are over 65.
• Look after yourself and others. On cold days try to avoid going outside; however, if you do need to, remember to wrap up warm. If you have an older neighbour or relative, look out for them during winter to make sure that they are safe and well.

by Megan Chen