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Energy giant npower raises prices as homeowners feel the pinch

Energy giant npower raises prices as homeowners feel the pinch

Energy giant npower raises prices as homeowners feel the pinch

Energy giant npower has become the latest member of the Big Six monopoly of fuel suppliers to raise its prices this week, with the announcement that gas prices would rise by an average of 8.8 per cent with electricity jumping up by 9.1 per cent.

It's expected the rise will affect three million UK households, with the average annual bill going up by £109.

Confused.com's head of energy Kate Rose said the npower announcement - which came on the same day as the much-publicised statement from British Gas in which the UK's largest supplier announced a nine per cent across-the-board rise in prices - said consumers need to take more control than ever over their household finances and energy spending in order to keep ahead of the increasing premiums.

"npower's price rise will take the annual average household dual fuel (gas and electricity from the same supplier) bill from £1,213 to £1,322 for customers," said Ms Rose, "a rise of £109, according to the energy firm's figures."

"British Gas will take their annual average household dual fuel bill from £1,238 to £1,318 for British Gas customers. But there are savings to be made by switching."

"Our advice is to opt for a fixed or capped tariff which can offer security against future price rises. We also advise to do this quickly as the other energy suppliers will be sure to follow."

Citizen's Advice Bureau representative Gillian Guy said the charity was there for householders who would feel the pinch of the latest price hike, pointing out that there were a number of changes homeowners could make that would drive down their energy use and help keep a lid on fuel bill increases.

Ms Guy pointed out that insulation helps homes use less energy, and government schemes were in place to help with funding for such changes.

And another simple way to cut energy use through one of your home's essentials is by installing LED lighting. It means you use less energy - LED light bulbs use much less current to light the same space - while the life of the bulb averages out at 20 years, meaning those savings will last.