73% of households go cold to cut heating costs

Almost three quarters of Irish households have gone cold in their homes this winter in a bid to keep their energy bills down.

According to a new study carried out by price comparison and switching service uSwitch.ie, the high cost of energy has seen 73% of homes going without heating at various times this winter.

The survey, carried out on 1,000 people, showed that more than two-thirds of households (69%) have been cutting down or rationing their energy use over the winter due to cost.

More than a third (36%) said they are regularly going without heating this winter to keep energy costs down, while 38% said that the cutbacks they are making are affecting their quality of life and/or health. Two in five (42%) said they occasionally went without heating.

The price comparison website pointed out that the research shows that as the recession continues, consumers are being forced to not just give up luxuries but also have to cut down on household essentials.

Head of uSwitch.ie, Eoin Clarke, said the findings highlight the lengths people were going to ensure that they kept their energy bills as low as possible.

“The average household energy bill today is an eye- watering €2,140 a year and this is having a huge impact on consumers who are struggling to find the cash to keep warm,” he said.

Mr Clarke said the study again highlighted the benefits of customers shopping around for better value in terms of energy costs.

“Rather than resorting to drastic and potentially dangerous measures, we would urge consumers to make their money go further by taking steps to ensure that their homes are as energy efficient as possible and that they are paying the lowest prices for the energy they use. These two steps will help people to cut the cost of their energy today and will help to protect them from the impact of higher prices in the future too,” he said.