As we approach the winter months and temperatures drop, most of us will want to spend more time indoors. There are several ways you can control your energy costs whilst keeping your home warm. This includes:
- Keeping your heating on at a low constant temperature, rather than short blast of heat that cools down again
- Setting the timer on your heating controls
- Turning off lights & appliances – devices left on standby can cost between £50 to £90 per year
- Keeping your blinds and curtains closed at night
- Installing low energy light bulbs – LED light bulbs will save you a lot of money
- Closing outside doors and draught proofed
- Not blocking your radiators with furniture
- Ensuring you have sufficient credit if you’re using pre-payment meters
Remember gas & electricity and priority bills – if you don’t pay them, you run the risk of being cut off by your supplier. We offer all our customers a free service that’ll help you keep warm and reduce your energy bills. See how you can save by contacting us or logging on to applyforleap.org.uk.
Here are some schemes to help you with your energy bills:
- Warm Home Discount: This is a credit of up to £140 added to your electricity bill account if you get pension credit or have a low income. More information can be found at here.
- Winter Fuel Payment: If you were born on or before 26th September 1955 you could get between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. For more information click here.
- Cold Weather Payment: You may be entitled to get a cold weather payment if you’re in receipt of certain benefits when the average temperature in your area is recorded as or forecast to be zero degrees Celsius or below for seven consecutive days. For more information click here.
- Help towards the cost of your water bill: Water companies have introduced social tariffs that can offer reduced bills to consumers on low income. Find more information here.
- Vulnerable Households Support Fund: The government have recently launched a new support fund offering vulnerable households up to £500 funding to help with essentials such as food, clothing, and utilities. For more information, please contact your local council.
- Fuel vouchers for pre-payment meters: Warmer Homes West Midlands have funding to top up pre-payment meters to the value of £28 for a single household or £49 for a multiple occupancy household. A household can receive up to three vouchers on separate months giving a total of up to £147 top up payments on their pre-payment meter. For more information, please contact your CRM.
If you’re struggling to pay your bills including your rent please contact your CRM who will offer you support and assistance.
