Rising consumption and prices behind bill increase
As pensioners living in sheltered accommodation in Ramsey and Onchan prepare to see their gas bills reduce - those living in the south of the Island have been informed of an increase to their bills.
A letter - seen by Manx Radio - from the Southern Sheltered Housing Joint Board to its residents, reveals they will be paying an increase of £29.68 a week for heating costs from 1 January.
That takes bills up to £61.37 a week and £245.48 a month.
The board says it's due to a combination of rising consumption and prices.
In the letter, the board says over the past two years Isle of Man Energy has issued incorrect invoices resulting in it being unable to recalculate costs for tenants accurately.
It adds the board has exhausted heating reserves in order to cover the costs of increases over the past two years, hence an adjustment is unavoidable.
While discussions are ongoing between the board and Isle of Man Energy over tariff costs, it says once those talks come to a satisfactory conclusion, heating charges will be reviewed.
Rushen MHK Juan Watterson, who was made aware of the rising heating costs, told Manx Radio he is hopeful a solution can be found down the line:
Manx Radio has reached out to the board.