The total energy consumption has fallen in households in the UK as customers look to ease the burden of increasing power bills by turning down their heating and switching off lights.

The latest figures released have shown that the consumers have cut consumption by about a fourth in the UK as higher energy prices increase pressure on household budgets.  The trend is expected to continue in the coming month as thousands of families will face higher energy bills when their special fixed tariffs from EDF, Scottish Power, E. O N and npower come to an end during the month.

The Office for National Statistics said that the total average energy consumption in England and Wales recorded a fall of 24.7 per cent between 2005 and 2011.  The data showed that in the East Midlands region recorded a high fall in usage as it usually records the highest household energy consumption for every year.  The consumption fell 29.4 per cent from 39.0 megawatt hours (MWh) per household in 2005 to 27.5 MWh in 2011.

The Energy UK trade association said: "It is good news in the current climate that customers are using less energy.  This fall in consumption shows how effective it is to insulate your home."

Experts have said that the energy costs have increased significantly and the customers are choosing to cut consumption instead of being forced to pay higher bills.