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Energy prices 'to rise this year'

Energy prices 'to rise this year'

Energy prices 'to rise this year'

With energy firm Centrica, owner of British Gas, hinting that UK householders will face more price hikes this year due to an increase in wholesale gas costs, homeowners may need to review the energy consumption in their property.

With errant teens leaving their lights blazing and TVs on even when they're not in the room, and parents believing a phone charger switched on at the socket but not plugged into their phone will not add to their electricity bill, it's no wonder some of us are struggling to pay the utilities.

However, by making a few changes to your behaviour at home, you should be able to see the difference in your bills.

According to a spokesman for DFX Technology, switching to LED lighting could be an energy efficient move that may well result in a drop in payments.

"The average power consumption of them compared to the light that it would be replacing results in about a 50 per cent energy saving," he explained, adding that the low-maintenance properties of LED products also appeals to money-saving businesses and organisations.

With wholesale gas prices predicted to be around 15 per cent higher for the coming winter than the previous one, it seems that many of us will be forced to shell out greater amounts for our energy.

Tom Lyon, energy expert at comparison site uSwitch.com, pointed out that this will come on top of the average £224 increase in bills from the end of 2010, leaving many householders "seriously struggling to afford their bills".

"I would urge them to prepare for the worst and to ensure that they are on a competitively priced energy plan and to make their homes as energy efficient as possible," Mr Lyons added.

Meanwhile, GE Lighting has unveiled a new LED light bulb that takes just 27 W of energy to generate more than 1,600 lumens of light, which is significantly more efficient that a traditional incandescent bulb.