Trust in energy suppliers has risen in recent months, with more people believing their power company to be transparent and fair, a survey by the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) suggests.
Worries about energy bills are at their lowest since the survey, conducted every three months, began in early 2012, as are concerns over power cuts becoming more frequent in the future – despite widely-voiced fears over a looming “energy crunch”.
But a third (34%) of the 2,103 households questioned in September were still concerned about paying their bills while just under half (49%) were concerned about power cuts becoming more frequent.
More than three-quarters of those quizzed (77%) were worried about steep rises in energy prices in the future, although the figure is the lowest level since the DECC public attitudes tracker survey started in March 2012.
The survey also revealed continuing high support for renewables, with solar gaining top backing of 80%, offshore wind receiving 74%, wave and tidal 73% and even often-vilified onshore wind backed by more than two-thirds of those quizzed (67%).
It showed a slight increase in levels of opposition to fracking for shale gas since the summer, with 27% opposing exploitation of the unconventional gas compared to 24% in June, while almost half (45%) expressed no view on it.
The figures revealed more than two-thirds of people (67%) trust energy suppliers to provide a breakdown of their bill, up from 60% in June, while more than half (51%) trust them to inform them of the best tariff, up from 47% in June and the highest recorded level.
More than half (51%) also trust their energy supplier to give them a fair deal, up from 47% in the last survey, and 54% believe they will give them impartial and accurate advice on energy efficiency measures.
More than 68% believe their power company will give them a bill that accurately reflects how much energy they have used, up from 63% in June and similar to the level in the first survey in March 2012.
The survey also showed the Government has more work to do to raise awareness of renewable heat technologies, which are needed to cut emissions from homes and businesses.
It revealed that 52% are unaware of air source heat pumps and micro combined heat and power units, 26% had not heard of biomass boilers and 39% did not know about ground source heat pumps.
The proportion of households which had installed any of the technologies was very low.
Industry body RenewableUK’s director of external affairs, Jennifer Webber, said: “It’s clear from this independent poll that while public support for wind and marine energy remains rock solid with a two-thirds majority or higher, people are increasingly disenchanted with non-renewable technologies.
“This latest survey should prompt politicians from all parties to sit up and take notice of the majority of the public, who’ve made it clear that they support onshore and offshore wind power.”
Consumer body Which? said its own polling showed that three-quarters of people were worried about energy bills, and only 26% trusted the energy industry to act in their best interests.
Richard Lloyd, Which? executive director, said: “While trust may have marginally improved, energy remains one of the least trusted industries.
“With three-quarters of consumers worried about their energy bills and only a quarter trusting the industry to act in their best interest, it’s clear big reforms are needed to restore confidence and guarantee fairer prices for consumers.”
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