THE average Somerset West and Taunton household is paying almost twice as much as last winter to fuel their home, new figures suggest.

Data from the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) shows the average household in the district consumed 9,028 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of gas and 2,773 kWh of electricity in 2021.

At the current charging rates capped by the Government, it means the average household on a variable tariff continuing to use the same amount of energy as in 2021 would be paying around £2,116 per year to run their home.

Based on prices last winter, the average Somerset West and Taunton household would have had an annual spend of approximately £1,130 for the same amount of energy – just over half as much.

Households on a fixed tariff will pay for energy at their current rate until the term comes to an end.

Adam Scorer, chief executive of National Energy Action, said the situation could worsen this year following the end of the current Energy Price Guarantee, claiming one in three households will be in fuel poverty.

Mr Scorer said this is likely to affect low income groups most, inclduing people with disabilities.

He said this means people "will be forced to bed wearing coats, ration showers and hot water, run up huge debts or self-disconnect and go cold".

A BEIS spokesperson said it has recently launched a new campaign, ‘It All Adds Up’, to help families reduce their energy bills.

They said: "We know it is a difficult time for families across the country.

"That is why we have acted swiftly to provide support, including the Energy Price Guarantee, which is saving the typical household around £900 this winter, as well as £400 payments towards bills and £1,200 for the most vulnerable households."

Energy consultancy firm Cornwall Insights predicts the price cap regulated by Ofgem will sit at approximately £3,500 between April and June, though the typical household will be charged £3,000 at most during this period under the Government's Energy Price Guarantee.

The energy price cap is then expected to drop below Government support levels in July. 

Cornwall forecasts that energy bills will be around £2,800 for the average household in the final two quarters of 2023.