Help with your energy costs
With soaring energy costs this winter is a worrying time for many.
We have therefore put together a useful list of links to energy advice, schemes and grants to help meet the costs of heating your home and some top energy saving tips:
Energy advice
- NEA – Organisation providing energy and income maximization advice
https://www.nea.org.uk/ - Ofgem energy regulator – What to expect if your supplier goes out of business
www.ofgem.gov.uk - Let’s Talk (Charis) – Advice and assistance on energy and money issues
https://www.lets-talk.online/ - Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – Offer advice on a range of subjects including energy advice
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Energy schemes
- Winter Fuel Support Scheme through NPT Council.
- Eligible households can claim a one-off £200 payment to provide support towards paying their winter fuel bills. All applications must be received before the 18 February 2022.Winter Fuel Support Scheme – Neath Port Talbot Council (npt.gov.uk)
- Warm home discount
A UK wide scheme offering one off £140 payment towards electricity bills. Each supplier has different eligibility criteria, and the scheme does not operate all year round
https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme - Winter fuel payments
Extra money towards fuel cost for pensioner households. between £100 and £300 to help you pay your heating bills. Should be paid automatically to those who qualify.
https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment - Cold weather payments
Extra money if you are on certain benefits during periods of prolonged cold weather.
https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
Grants to help pay off energy debts
If you’re in debt to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant from a charitable trust to help pay it off.
The following energy companies offer grants and schemes that are open to anyone - you don't have to be a customer:
There are also companies who offer grants specifically for their customers:
- npower Energy Fund
- Scottish Power Hardship Fund
- Ovo Debt and energy assistance
- E.on Energy Fund
- EDF Energy Customer Support Fund
Energy saving tips
Energy saving trust – Tips on how to save energy lower bills and reduce carbon footprint
Quick tips to save energy at home - Energy Saving Trust
- Understand your energy bill
The information on a typical energy bill can be confusing, but understanding it can go a long way to helping you get to grips with your energy usage at home. - Switch off standby
You can save around £35 a year just by remembering to turn your appliances off standby mode.
Almost all electrical and electronic appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming.
You may want to think about getting a standby saver which allows you to turn all your appliances off standby in one go. - Careful in your kitchen
You can save around £22 a year from your energy bill just by using your kitchen appliances more carefully: - Cut back your dishwasher use by just one cycle per week and save £8 a year on energy.
- Cut back your washing machine use by just one cycle per week and save £8 a year on energy.
- Only fill the kettle with the amount of water that you need and save around £6 a year.
- Spend less time in the shower
Spending one minute less in the shower each day will save up to £4 a year off your energy bills, per person. With a water meter this could save a further £7 off annual water and sewerage bills.
If everyone in a four-person household did this it would lead to a total saving of £47 a year. - Switch to LEDs
You can now get LED spotlights that are bright enough to replace halogens, as well as regular energy saving bulbs. They come in a variety of shapes, sizes and fittings. - Turn off lights
Turn your lights off when you’re not using them. If you switch a light off for just a few seconds, you will save more energy than it takes for the light to start up again, regardless of the type of light.
This will save you around £11 a year on your annual energy bills.
If you're worried about paying your bills or are struggling to keep on top of your finances then give our Financial Inclusion team a call on 01639 315 000, for expert help and advice.
