Britons may have to think about how to keep their homes at a constant, cooler temperature (Image: PA)
Britons should be asked to change how and when they use their energy to get through the crisis and avoid blackouts this winter, an expert has suggested.
Households have already been warned that the price cap could rise in January by £360 more than previously forecast.
Experts at Cornwall Insight, one of the country’s leading energy consultancies, said bills could rise from today’s record £1,971 to £3,245 in October and then again to £3,364 early next year.
Sir John Armitt, the UK’s infrastructure czar, said people should be asked to try to reduce energy use, for example by turning down thermostats and avoiding using appliances such as cookers and washing machines between the peak hours of 6pm until 20:00.
He told The Telegraph: “People will have to change their cooking patterns. Should we heat our homes to 21C or is it more efficient to have a constant lower temperature?
“Absolutely the government can ask people to turn down their thermostats. I would be surprised if the government doesn’t do this at some point this winter.
Can be offered to cook after hours between 18:00 and 20:00 (Image: PA)
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Sir John said Britons should be “treated like adults” and invited to help, warning that around six million households could face power cuts this winter if supplies from Russia deteriorate.
Other European countries have already started asking their citizens to participate in the aid.
Germans have been told to take shorter showers to reduce the amount of gas used for hot water heating.
In Japan, households and businesses were asked to turn off lights and air conditioners unless needed, while Australia’s energy minister urged residents not to use electricity between 6pm and 8pm whenever possible.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy told Metro.co.uk: “The UK has no problems with gas or electricity supplies and the government is fully prepared for any scenario, even those that are extreme and highly unlikely to happen .
“Thanks to the massive investment of £90 billion in renewable energy over the last decade, we have one of the most reliable and diverse energy systems in the world and, unlike Europe, we are not dependent on Russian energy imports.”
It comes as fraudsters take advantage of the current crisis and try to scam people who are worried about their bills.
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