The average household bill for a dual fuel EDF customer will now go up from £1,202 to £1,332 a year – an increase of £120. 

Ann Robinson, director of consumer policy at uSwitch.com, said: “The high cost of energy is already burning a hole in consumers’ pockets and this winter’s price hikes will only serve to make the situation worse.

“Families face a ticking time bomb – all it will take is a plunge in the temperature for them to feel the full brunt of these higher prices.

“The fact is that many are already scared of their bills and higher prices this winter could see many more choosing to go cold.”

uSwitch estimates almost nine in ten households to ration their energy usage because of cost.

Three quarters of households also went without heating at some point last winter, again due to increasing costs.

Robinson added: “There are better and safer ways for consumers to protect themselves from higher energy prices – making your home more energy efficient will cut the amount of energy you use and moving to a more competitive tariff will cut the amount you pay for what you do use.

“These two steps will help you to keep a lid on your bills. There is currently more than £300 difference between the cheapest and the most expensive energy tariff on the market, while some suppliers are still offering free or low-cost home insulation.”

Consumers are being urged to shop around and act quickly to ease the pressure of increasing prices.