One in 10 pensioners is being forced to stay in bed longer to keep warm as a result of rising fuel bills, according to a new poll.
One in eight said they planned to stop using some parts of their homes in the cold weather to keep energy bills down.
More than 12,000 people over the age of 50, including almost 8,000 people who have retired, across Britain answered the survey for Saga, carried out for the Press Association.
A third of people said they had been forced to stop heating as many rooms in their homes and 64% of people said they were having to wear extra layers of clothing as a result of rising energy costs.
One in five was planning to cut back on other spending so they could afford to heat their homes.
Just over two-fifths who responded to the online poll said they would struggle more than in the past with energy bills this winter.
An overwhelming majority, 84%, expressed concern about the rising cost of fuel.
Recently the so-called Big Six firms that dominate the energy supply market all announced above-inflation price hikes.
Paul Green, director of communications at over-50s company Saga, said: “As we head into the cold winter months, spiralling fuel costs are striking fear in the hearts of some, but not all, pensioner households.
“For some, the fear could mean they won’t turn their heating on and, in so doing, risk their own health and welfare.
“Energy is essential so the Government needs to do more to cut back on consumer green levies, put pressure on energy companies for fairer pricing and to develop new fuel sources linked to lowering consumer bills.”
Jane Vass, head of public policy at charity Age UK, said: “High energy prices along with poorly insulated homes are some of the factors that cause cold homes a major cause of excess winter deaths.
“Those living in the coldest homes are three times more likely to die a preventable death than those living in warmer ones.
“Long-term we strongly believe that the only sustainable solution is investment to increase the energy efficiency of our housing stock so cold homes become a thing of the past.
“But there is action older people worried about prices can take now. Ofgem’s retail market review that has recently come into practice means the energy market should be simpler to understand than before.”