There has been an awful lot of media coverage recently on the rising price of National Grid energy.
It has been a countrywide issue, with debates finding themselves at centre stage in Parliament and many homeowners struggling to afford their bills.
With price increases affecting millions of homeowners around the country, there has been a sharp rise in the renewable uptake, such as solar panels and heat pumps. These will help you to produce your own energy, rather than paying for grid power.
Others have turned to energy efficiency, better insulating their home to bring down heating bills and lock more warmth in the property.
But how much have energy prices actually inflated? We take a look at the facts and find out how your energy bills have been affected over the years.
Why has your energy bill increased?
The Office for National Statistics is the place to go to and the latest data published is for the fourteen year period between 1998 and 2012.
General inflation has paid its part in your energy bills, with costs rising 37% during the 14 years. But the actual cost of energy has increased much more than this.
Staggeringly, prices have risen as follows:
- Electricity by 100%
- Gas by 195%
- Heating oil by 428%.
Straight away, if you’re looking at these statistics and are using heating oil, you’ll be thinking how you avoid paying such a huge expense. It’s difficult too as oil users are typically off of the gas grid.
But there is another way, with biomass. Biomass boilers and heaters burn a renewable source such as wood pellets, chips and even agricultural waste to provide heat. This would save you a fortune on bills and you could pocket over £600 extra alone just by switching from oil.
Solar Panels can also reduce your electricity and /or heating bills (depending on what type of solar panel you opt for). Our guide to Solar Panel costs explains the upfront cost of the systems and the likely returns you can expect to see.
Then of course there’s the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, which pays out for the power you produce at home with renewable technology. You can earn hundreds and even thousands on a yearly basis.
Facts & Figures You’ll Love To Share
- [tweetable alt=””]The average annual energy bill has doubled since 2004. By 2020 it’s expected to double yet again.[/tweetable]
- [tweetable alt=””]Gas prices have increased 195% in just a decade, with electricity costs also rising 100%.[/tweetable]
- [tweetable alt=””]There are many ways to counter the rising price of gas and electricity, with superb home efficiency upgrades.[/tweetable]
- [tweetable alt=””]Electricity usage in the home has increased 2% annually over the last 50 years.[/tweetable]