The number of complaints dealt with by the energy ombudsman in the first six months of this year was more than the total for the whole of 2013.

The Energy Ombudsman deals with complaints unresolved after 8 weeks

It was revealed that serious complaints about energy companies have soared, more than doubling in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period last year.

In total there were 22,671 complaints so far this year, compared with only 10,598 in the previous year.

The vast majority of complaints (84%) were about billing issues, and most of the rest were about switching suppliers (13%).

The energy ombudsman only deals with serious complaints – those that are still unresolved after 8 weeks.

Lewis Shand Smith, the chief energy ombudsman said “The spike in complaints is in part a result of the rising cost of living, but also as a result of consumers becoming more aware of their rights and feeling more empowered to act and fight for a fair deal”.

Sources: Energy firm complaints hit record high – Guardian | Energy complaints soar, Energy Ombudsman says – BBC