Householders who rely on heating oil or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are being urged to give evidence to an investigation into rocketing prices and supply shortages this winter.
Consumer Focus Scotland wants to hear from anyone who had difficulty keeping their home warm during the severe weather.
The Courier has been running a campaign for fairer fuel prices and, although the focus has mostly been on vehicle fuel, many readers have got in touch to tell of the difficulties they have had at home, too.
Late last year the average price for heating oil rose by around 40%, even though the price of crude oil had only gone up by a quarter as much.
Many readers said they were angry at seeing their bills soar with accusations that the energy companies were using the freezing temperatures to profiteer while others complained of delays in receiving supplies or getting less than they needed.
Trying to establish the scale of the problem is a key aim of the consumer watchdog’s inquiry. Deputy director Trish McAuley said, “More than 200,000 households in Scotland rely on off-grid energy to keep their homes warm. Most of these are in rural areas and also tend to be older properties which are harder to heat, meaning many are already living in fuel poverty.
“Several off-grid consumers have already approached us with examples of the problems they have experienced with their energy supply during the very cold weather last year. We are now asking for anyone who suffered very high increases in the price of their fuel or difficulties with ordering or receiving new supplies to tell us about their experience.”
The case study evidence provided by the public will be used to help plan further research into energy needs that will be carried out later in the year. It will also help Consumer Focus Scotland draw up its submission to an inquiry into the off-grid energy market announced last week by the Office of Fair Trading.
To share your experiences email mail@consumerfocus-scotland.org.uk or write to Andrew Faulk, Consumer Focus Scotland, Royal Exchange House, 100 Queen Street, Glasgow G1 3DN. Feedback should be sent by the end of February.