How much extra energy have you used working from home?

Homeworkers spending far more time indoors could face a bill shock from their usage over the last three months once they submit readings, data suggests. 

With more devices plugged in, heating on and consumption up, typical bills could be £113 higher from January to March usage than usual.

In the first three months of the year, households typically consume almost 30 per cent of their annual energy making it the most expensive quarter of the year.

This, combined with the added cost of spending more time at home and the cold snap from Storm Darcy, could see many households face a shock bill, according to data from Compare the Market.

Typical households paying £1,042 per year by direct debit, Ofgem’s current energy price cap level, could see their energy supplier increase their monthly payment from £86 per month to more than £111 to cover the additional cost.

Rising usage is leaving households worried about how they will afford increasing costs.

Higher bills are putting a strain on family finances with 30 per cent of families with children at home saying they struggle to pay their bills each week.

In addition, 29 per cent of families with children at home said they are worried about their ability to meet their financial obligations over the coming weeks whilst 14 per cent of families without children at home said they had the same concern.

The increase in costs due to working from home comes as Ofgem recently announced it would be increasing its energy price cap level.

Millions of households who are on their providers’ default tariff, that do not switch before April, could see their annual bill rise from the current level of £1,042 to £1,138.

The increase of £96 includes an additional £23 that the regulator has allowed suppliers to recuperate from unpaid bills from households that have experienced financial difficulty during the pandemic.

29% of families with children at home are worried about ability to meet financial obligations

Peter Earl, head of energy at Compare the Market said: ‘Many may not realise how much extra energy they’re using during lockdown, until they give an actual meter reading to their supplier, which could add to the shock.

‘Not only are households facing increased costs due to spending more time at home, Ofgem has also allowed energy suppliers to substantially hike their bills in April through the energy price cap.

‘Considering the significant strain on some household finances because of the pandemic, the increase to the cap could not have come at a worse time.’

Households are encouraged to use price comparison sites to see if they could save money by switching tariff or provider. 

Best deals on the market

The best energy deal on the market is currently with HUB Energy on its HUB Smart Choice Tariff 12 April 22 v1 fixed tariff costing an average of £903.45 a year.

Green Energy is the next best offering on its Hawthorn variable deal at £903.71 a year.  

Meanwhile, Outfox the Market is the third best on its Spring 21 Variable tariff costing £908.50 a year. 

Eon and Ovo are the only two Big Six suppliers in the top ten with Eon’s Fix Online Exclusive v64 deal at £952.25 a year and Ovo’s Better Smart fixed deal coming in at £961.98 a year.