Though it is the time of year when most people need to use their heating the most, one energy provider is set to raise energy prices in the middle of winter, according to The Daily Mail.
Home and Garden on Female First
E.ON, a German-owned energy company, has pledged that it will not raise its prices before December 31, but consumer groups fear it will introduce a huge hike in rates immediately after that deadline, on January 1.
This would affect homeowners, especially the elderly, who rely on their heating to keep them warm in the coldest winter months.
It has also been rumoured that all of the main energy providers will have a price increase at some point before or during winter.
The biggest energy providers - British Gas, EDF, SSE, E.ON, Npower and Scottish Power - were criticised last year for raising prices in autumn, then lowering them in the spring. The raising of energy bills when people need them most will hit the most vulnerable people hardest.
Consumer expert Martin Lewis told The Daily Mail that he was sure that E.ON would either raise prices, or announce an increase in January. He said: "The promise is 'no price hikes this year'. So technically, it could announce a hike in November to start on 1 January".
He added: "January and February are the coldest months of the year, but the price promise does not extend to then".
Tagged in Home Heating Home & Garden