The bulk of the rise - up over £200 in just two years - can be blamed on the rocketing cost of home heating oil.

The Telegraph has calculated that the expected average bill for home heating oil and electricity this year to be a staggering £1,015 - at least. In 2006, the figure was £785.

And although the average cost of heating your house with gas has fallen by almost £100 in the same period, gas costs could increase when prices are reviewed next month.

The misery caused by rising energy costs is compounded when added to price of other daily necessities.

We are anow spending around £1,388 on running cars on unleaded petrol, based on an average annual use of 1,286 litres - compared to £1118.82 in 2006.

The forecast is equally bleak for the cost of food - the industry has predicted that the average price of a basket of groceries will go up by as much as 20% this year.

The increasing cost of keeping food in the cupboard is mostly down to the rising cost of fuel - which again affects the cost of keeping our motors on the road.

However, it is in the cost of home heating oil that families are facing the worst increases.

Two years ago, it cost £403 to buy 1200 litres of fuel. Now it costs around £630.

These soaring prices are dictated by the cost of crude oil - which is buffeted by strong demand, tight global supplies and political uncertainty.

The weak US dollar, the trend for investors to move money from pension and hedge funds into commodities like oil, wheat and gold because they are regarded as safer investments, and the decision of oil-producing countries represented in Opec not to boost supplies, have also contributed to the recent rises in crude oil prices, according to the Northern Ireland Oil Federation.

David Blevings, the federation's executive director, said: "We are only too aware of the increased energy costs across the board and as a responsible industry we want to offer services and products that may help minimise the impact of increased prices on consumers.

"We are suggesting that consumers concerned about the increased prices should consider using a pre-payment system such as direct debit to help budget. In addition, we would recommend consumers having their boiler serviced and top up loft insulation to maximise heat retention in the home.

"Most analysts would agree that a sharp price correction is due as milder weather approaches and demand slackens. The good news is that local oil distributors operate in an extremely competitive market and these competitive pressures ensure that immediately the price of oil drops on the international market the savings are offered to consumers in order to retain their custom".

The Northern Ireland Consumer Council expressed dismay at the rises and said wages were not rising in tandem with the cost of living. Carol Edwards, the council's head of education, said: "Every day brings stories of rising prices. We're paying more for food, we're paying more at the petrol pumps, the price of oil and rates are up but our incomes aren't keeping up and this is putting a real strain on the people's pockets."

"It's more important than ever to make your money go as far as possible. Shop around, compare prices and make sure that you are getting all the benefits that you are entitled to," she said.

According to research by the Department for Social Development, one in three households here are living in fuel poverty, an increase of around 7% in 2004.

Gas and electricity prices are stable although Phoenix Natural Gas is to review its prices next month.

Kerstie Forsyth from NIE Energy, which introduced a below-inflation increase of 3.9% in November last year, said: "NIE Energy has no plans to review tariffs again until this autumn."