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Your article on the increase in energy prices shows that, for gas, what I assume is the average annual expenditure has risen from about £300 in 2004 to about £800 in 2012. Hardship for many will certainly ensue this winter. However, what is seldom mentioned is the plight of those living in rural areas without mains gas who depend on LPG, for which I cannot find figures to allow a comparison of average costs with those for mains gas.

Our well-insulated four-
bedroom house uses LPG for 
central heating as well as water-heating and cooking. The thermostat is set at 18C to heat two public rooms only when necessary, with a coal fire on winter evenings. The controls are set at minimum in the rest of the house.

In the year to October 2004, we used 4,500 litres at a cost of £1,260 (28p/litre), while for 2012 we have cut consumption to 3,600 litres costing £2,535 (70p/litre). Although we are pensioners, we are fortunate in being able to afford to pay this. But what percentage of the rural population will be in fuel poverty this winter?

Bob Peden

Causewayend Crescent

Aberchirder, Aberdeenshire