How will solo households cope with rising energy prices in their homes this winter? News is dominated by conversations and discussions around the cost of living this winter and the impact it will have on households. Much talk is centred around working families at a time when one in three households in the UK is occupied by one person.
Unfortunately, we don’t hear much about the impact of the cost of living increases on solo households who live on one income. So, we asked members of our Super Solos Living Alone Community if they have carried out an energy price forecast for their home and how they plan to cope with rising energy prices this winter.
Below you can read what they say, and it is clear that energy-saving strategies will be used around the home when it comes to cooking, washing and drying clothes and heating homes. The £400 government will be helpful.
Energy saving tactics are also tied to thinking about mortgage payments (for those amongst us who have mortgages) – where fixed-rate energy direct debits, building up credit with energy suppliers, and fixed-rate mortgage payments will help some solo households cope with rising energy prices in the coming winter. A few of our Solos even plan to spend time away from their homes as a way of mitigating rising energy prices.
How Solo Households Will Cope With Rising Energy Prices This Winter
Tom
“I’ve been doing my own maths and not just paying the amounts that the energy companies recommend. So far, I’ve been about right and have built up some credit over the summer. The £400 government subsidy should mean I don’t need to increase my payments over the winter. I’m planning a few holidays over the winter, and I’m gonna spend more time in the pub as when I’m out, the heating is off.”
Janet
“I am retired and will stay in my campervan for most of the winter. It’s much cheaper to heat and more fun to live a travelling life on the road than sitting freezing in my wee pensioner’s bungalow. I have fully self-contained systems (for 10 days at a time), so I won’t be using campsites.”
Anni
“I’m drastically reducing my food shopping and aiming for a food budget of £5 per day. I’m 59, still working full time and have a small mortgage. I’ve built up some credit for my energy and avoid putting the heating on unless I have to. These sound like normal things, but I am used to buying a wee coffee etc., and not usually thinking too much about food shopping costs, etc. So, these are big changes for me. I’m on a lowish fixed-rate mortgage for another year, and I’ll be throwing everything I can into that until it ends.
I have 2 older sisters, and we all live alone. One is retired, and the other is retiring in March on a very low income. I’m going to drop off portions of soup etc, to help them to save energy.”
Anna
“I’ve never had direct debit with an electricity or gas company, and I’ve only ever paid monthly when I get my bill in. I put away more each month to cover any winter increase, as I’d rather have the interest in my bank account. I very rarely put the heating on as I have an open fire and have always used hot water bottles and blankets. My house had no heating for around 6 years after I moved in. Then I had central heating put in and found it dried my skin out too much, and I developed nose bleeds, so I stopped using it. I’m not really worried about the future as I’ve always been frugal, and as a 50-year-old uni student, I have a very small income, but I manage.”
Kim
“Yep, fully forecasted, and I’m just going to spend more money. Not sure that there are many ways of mitigating this. I live substantially below my earnings, but I know not all are so fortunate. I may end up investing a little less in the immediate term, but that’s about the only impact it will have on me.”
Jenny
“I’m fortunate to be mortgage free, and I have savings. I’m in credit of £450 with my energy company as I opted to pay more during the summer via direct debit. That said, I am careful. My crystal ball must’ve been on form last year as I bought an air fryer (cheaper for cooking) and a Lakeland heated airer (cheaper for drying on wet days). They made a difference in my energy use. I’ve now started using the airer to dry clothes in the same room I’m using as it heats the room too! I’m using the microwave more, as it’s cheaper. When I make rice, I do 3 portions and freeze 2 – so using the gas hob a little less. I’ve batched cooked for years, but I’m doing it more. Freezer currently houses homemade chilli, bolognese, and pasta sauces, so all I have to do is ‘ding’ what I fancy in the microwave. I’ve invested in thermal tops and socks too, and an electric sofa throw to snuggle under.”
Sarah
“I think I’ll be okay. I’ve been overpaying over the last couple of years and didn’t query the big rise in my direct debits at the time, so I built up credit. I actually got a refund that I didn’t request in February this year. I’m home working most of the time for the foreseeable future which means more use of electricity and gas but minimal commuting costs, so I hope it balances out.”
Anne
“I’m not sure how much more I’ll have to pay, and so far, I haven’t turned on the heating and use blankets, a candle, my stove after cooking, and my laptop for warmth. I also started drinking a lot of tea. So far, it’s fine, the room temperature is around 17°C, and I’m getting used to it.”
Faye-Marie
“I’ve just had a new heating system installed, so have no clue how that will impact energy use and I, just have to monitor it. I went onto fixed direct debit in July, so my DD isn’t expected to change. Then the government addition meant my direct debit is being halved. Monthly direct debits make it less of an unknown for me. My friend pays her British Gas bill twice a year and is really unsure about costs and payments, but I’ve never had that uncertainty. I’m about to go part-time a little for my sanity, so hoping our pending pay rise will cover any shortfall.”
Joyce
“I took out a fixed rate a year ago, and it’s got another year to run. Yes, it’ll be a big shock next October, but I’m fine for the next 12 months.”
Janet
“This time last year, I fixed my rate for 3 years. So, I’ve two years to decide what to do because bills aren’t going to go down.”
Wendy
“My utility company tried to reduce my direct debit, but I’ve stopped them. The main reason was they did this a few years ago, at this time of year, as my usage in the summer was low, and the end result was I ended up owing them lots of money, which I wouldn’t have done if my direct debit hadn’t been reduced. Secondly, despite currently being in credit before the £400, I want to be able to use the heating when needed without fearing the higher bill.”
Sindhu
“I am on a 3-year fixed-rate plan for electricity. I don’t have a gas supply in my flat. My plan is to be careful with how much I use and get into the habit of using my pressure cooker and slow cooker. The former was a birthday present, and the latter is from my university days (a long time ago). Clothes will only go on the heated airer once they have been outside (need windy days).”
Katie
“I’m using my microwave more, being more diligent with my door draught blocker things, and when I go shopping. I’m making sure to try and shop from the bottom shelf where possible. I’m lucky to live in an area with a community fridge, so trying to use veggies from there and, when available, batch cook veg soup.”
Do you live alone in a solo household? How will you be coping with rising energy prices in your home this winter? Please add your strategies and tips in the comments below. Thanks!
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