Energy companies are being urged to improve their customer service as households brace for a difficult winter, according to a survey conducted for Citizens Advice. The survey found that more than 10 million households in the UK are worried about how they will afford their energy bills this winter. This comes after the energy regulator, Ofgem, raised its price cap by 4% in October, marking a three-year high. As a result, the average household using both electricity and gas will now face annual energy bills of £1,723, an increase of £60 per year or £5 per month. Analysts predict another 9% increase in energy prices starting in January, adding to the financial pressure on households. Despite a slight improvement in customer service over the past quarter, energy firms have been advised to "double down" on support for customers. The latest ratings from Citizens Advice, covering the period from April to June, showed a modest increase in the median customer satisfaction score, rising from 3.26 out of five to 3.4. Average call wait times also improved, decreasing from 77 to 68 seconds. Outfox Energy received the highest score of 4.03, followed by 100Green (3.90) and E.ON Next (3.71), the top-ranked among the "big six" energy suppliers. At the other end of the scale, TruEnergy scored 1.38, and Utilita scored 2.53. The survey also revealed that 3.5 million households are in energy debt, either behind on payments or without access to gas or electricity because they cannot afford to top up prepayment meters. Gillian Cooper, director of energy at Citizens Advice, emphasized that while customer service has improved, energy firms must not become complacent. She noted that the latest ratings reflect a quieter period for energy suppliers, when lower costs mean people are less likely to seek support. However, with rising energy prices expected this winter, companies must step up their efforts to help those in need. The findings are based on a survey conducted by BMG Research, which interviewed 4,556 people across England, Wales, and Scotland between July 23 and 28. The survey highlights the growing concern among British households about energy affordability, as winter approaches and energy prices continue to rise.