Reports indicate that a number of major energy companies in the UK are set to raise their charges in the new year.

Scottish and Southern Energy is set to raise its prices by 12.2 per cent for gas and 9.4 per cent for electricity on January 1st.

A week later, British Gas will be calling a halt to its price freeze on its Click Energy tariff, making it the most expensive online service in Britain, according to price comparison site Moneysupermarket.com

Paul Schofield, head of utilities at moneysupermarket.com, commented: "With cold winter months still to come, it looks like some people will bear a double brunt financially as the cost of keeping a house warm increases in the new year.

"It is disgraceful that companies are announcing price hikes in the summer months and sneaking them in when the weather is at its coldest."

However, many canny homeowners are now offsetting the continued price hikes through improving insulation in their homes by installing double-glazing.

The initial outlay will be quickly made up in energy bills and could add a hefty sum on to the price of a property.

Click here for a selection of windows and doors from Safestyle.



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Author:  Joanne McCabe