Rising gas and electricity prices this week on January 18th

The winter of discontent is set to continue for consumers as the last of the UK's big six energy suppliers - E.ON - hikes up the prices of its gas and electricity this week January 18th.

Its prices will be increasing by 8.7 per cent, which could see the average dual fuel bill increase by £110 to £1,370 a year, which helps to make it the most expensive supplier on the market for those still paying via cash and cheque.

Though those paying by direct debit will fare better with a new annual bill of around £1,261 a year, according to independent price comparison and switching service uSwitch.

Consumers are sure to be looking for new ways in which to save energy in the home and this can easily be done by switching to LED lighting.

Indeed, such ceiling spotlights use much less energy and last longer than traditional incandescent bulbs, meaning that savings can be made when installing the illuminations.

There could yet be more bad news for consumers as Britain's largest supplier - British Gas - has openly warned that the cost of upgrading the national grid in line with government policies could see bills increase again at some point this year by a further £60.

Director of consumer policy at uSwitch Ann Robinson said affordability of energy bills is becoming a "massive concern" for households up and down the country.

"The fact is that we are now just a heartbeat away from hitting an 'affordability ceiling'. When the average household energy bill hits £1,500 a year, six in ten households will be going without adequate heating and almost four in ten will be going without heat entirely," she continued.

"The health and welfare implications are huge and this has got to set government alarm bells ringing."

New figures recently compiled by Saga have shown that the UK's 12.85 million pensioners spent as much as £17.4 billion on electricity and fuel in 2012 alone.