What happens when energy prices hit home?

SIR – My energy supplier wrote to tell me that it is a safe and stable company and is doing praiseworthy things, such as raising money for charity, supplying 100 per cent green electricity, and installing millions of smart meters.

This gave me a nice warm feeling, but my supplier then reminded me that when my fixed-price deal ends in February I could see my energy costs rise, and should look at its new tariffs.

I found that, if I remain with this supplier, my monthly bill will more than double from £118. A comparison site showed a marginally cheaper offer from an unknown company perhaps neither safe nor stable.

How many people will be forced into fuel poverty by such increases? What is to be done about it?

Peter Hubbard

Hindhead, Surrey

SIR – The National Infrastructure Commission has suggested that the cost of heat pumps should be included in mortgages (report, November 22).

Is it wise to finance equipment with an average life of 15 years over the life of a mortgage, which typically lasts between 20 and 30? It could mean that the pump will need to be replaced only half-way through, with perhaps only 30 per cent of the capital cost repaid, taking account of interest payments.

This is not good value for the customer, who will then need to pay for a new unit. Would the commission recommend taking out a second mortgage for this?

Rupert Mindelsohn

Marlborough, Wiltshire

SIR – Installing heat pumps may be easy in detached and semi-detached properties, but what about older terraced houses and high-rise flats? The latter would require scaffolding. Even if it were possible to train the extra 60,000 plumbers needed to install 600,000 heat pumps a year, it would take them at least 40 years to fit out the 25 million households that currently use gas boilers.

The Government needs to realise that there is only one way to reach net zero: back companies such as Rollsroyce to develop mini nuclear reactors. John Gebbels

Sutton, Surrey