New figures compiled by Saga has shown that the UK's 12.85 million pensioners spent as much as£17.4 billion on electricity and fuel bills in 2012 alone.
The average yearly spend on fuel bills for the over 65s in the past year was£1,355.90,which is more than double the£668.98 that was reported in 2005.
With all of the big six energy providers in the UK announcing price rises starting this year,these bills are set to only get higher.
This means that more people need to try and find ways of using less energy and one way of doing this is by installing LED ceiling spotlights,which will cost much less money on bills in the long run.
Saga's analysis shows that the portion of income spent on energy bills by over 50s has increased at a faster rate than the rest of the population,meaning that older people are at a disadvantage.
Financial worries for over 50s is no surprise as recent research based on a survey of 8,500 people found that over half(58 per cent)are concerned about the cost of heating their homes this winter and more than seven million are already struggling with the amount they are paying on heating bills.
Dr Ros Altmann,director general of Saga,said that energy prices are continuing to rise,which is likely to put yet more strain on households in the coming months.
"While incomes have increased in the last seven years,they have not kept pace with the rate that energy and fuel costs have risen,meaning that people are spending more of their income on fuel.
"This is especially true for older people who are often on lump or fixed incomes or whose savings income has fallen,"she continued,before adding that people are being forced to raid their savings just to keep the lights on.
