FUEL poverty levels in Kirklees have shot up after households struggled to pay rocketing utility bills.
A Government report has revealed fuel poverty levels in the region went up by more than 50% in just three years.
In 2006 22,600 homes were fuel poor, but by 2009 it had surged to almost 36,000.
The study by the Department for Energy and Climate Change shows the total number of households in fuel poverty for the years 2006, 2008 and 2009.
It reveals that one in five Kirklees households struggled to afford to heat their homes by 2009. And the report shows Kirklees has consistently remained more than 2% above the average for England.
The Government defines fuel poverty as a household that has to spend more than 10% of its income to maintain satisfactory heating – usually 21°C for the main living area and 18°C for other occupied rooms.
norcoop was unsure: “Am I going to use my heating less? Well, no, but then I have it set at a reasonable level all year round.
“The central heating is set at 12.5°C which is quite adequate for most rooms with the addition of a gas fire in the sitting room.
“If you are cold do what we did as kids and put a cardigan or jumper on. Most people today have their heating set far too high.
santa added: “Yes and you probably had the benefit of a coal fire which was wonderful.
“I remember the tin bath in front of the fire and the thick quilt on the bed and waking up with a cold nose and ice on the windows. We all can tell stories of the old days.”
But markmyword49 was having none of it: “I don’t want to return to the ‘good old days’ of single glazing, coal fires with accompanying clothes horse, cardigans, living in a single room for four months and constant colds, flu and sniffles thank you very much.
“But come to think about it, it did lead to early deaths for thousands which would go some way to solving the current pensions ‘crisis’ if we returned to those conditions.”
koetjebeuh knows his or her onions when it comes to the heating: “I’m very conscious about use of central heating. Mine’s turned down to 17°C for parts of the day when someone’s in, up until 9pm.
“Other parts (including night) it’s down to 12.5°C
“Problem is kids (and spouse) who leave doors open, lights on, etc.
“But there are things you can do yourself and others you cannot influence – fuel prices. They go up and up and up, way above ‘inflation’ rate and are not following international trends.
“No wonder all these utility companies make a killing.’’