Ovo Energy customers slammed the company that provided such advice. “cuddle with pets”Oder “hula hoop contests”Keep warm and save on heating when prices go up
After being criticized for providing advice such as “cuddling pets”Doing housework can help you avoid heating your home due to rising prices.
Ovo Energy stated that it was “embarrassed”Report on the advice given to customers not to use the heating in the face of rising energy costs. BristolLive.
The email Observed by the Financial TimesTen “simple and cost effective ways to keep warm this winter”They also included suggestions such as having “a cuddle with your pets and loved ones to help stay cosy” “try cleaning the house”.
The following advice may also be helpful: “challenging the kids to a hula hoop contest”, “doing a few star jumps”And “keep your oven open after you’ve finished cooking”.
According to reports, the email was sent out to customers of SSE Energy Service. Ovo purchased it in 2020.
A spokesperson for the company later apologized and resigned. “poorly judged and unhelpful” advice.
Households in Britain are set to be hit by a rise of more than 50% in energy prices in April when the energy price cap is raised, which could cost Brits an extra £700 on their energy bills each year.
Darren Jones, the Bristol North West MP and chair of the Business Select Committee, had asked Ovo for an apology. “Being told to put on a jumper instead of turning on your heating if you can’t afford it, at a time of such difficulty, is plainly offensive.”
Twitter has reacted quickly and condemningly to the advice, with many ridiculing it.
One user wrote: “Huddle around your recently lit gas bill”And another one said: “Think warm thoughts.”
Another point: “My dad is in his 90’s. Ovo have just increased his monthly bill by 300%. It takes him all his strength to get out of his chair but I’ll tell him to do some f****** star jumps!”
Ovo Energy spokesperson said that they were sorry for the advice. “Last week a link to a blog containing energy saving tips was sent to customers. We understand how difficult the situation will be for many of our customers this year.
“As we tackle this crisis of energy, we are trying to find solutions. We recognize that this blog was not well-judged and ineffective.
“We are embarrassed and sincerely apologise.”
