Managing your energy costs this winter

With soaring energy costs this winter is a worrying time for many.

To help you navigate your way through the grants and benefits that may be able to help you, our financial inclusion team have put together a comprehensive list of what support is available.  You can read that list by clicking here.

We have also put together a list of organisations offering energy advice and some top tips to help you make some savings this winter.

Energy advice

• Ofgem energy regulator – What to expect if your supplier goes out of business
  www.ofgem.gov.uk
• Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) – Offer advice on a range of subjects including energy advice
  https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk

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.

BEWARE: Scammers are taking advantage of the cost of living crisis:
Think and check texts, calls, emails – remember all of the cost of living payments from the government are made automatically so you don’t need to provide any details or do anything to receive them…If in doubt – stop and check it out! 

Some scam examples: 
Beware of texts that ask you to claim or apply for cost of living help. Payments will be made automatically, you don’t need to apply or do anything else to claim them. 

Don’t give your bank details out over the phone if you get a call about any grants. Councils, banks, energy providers etc will never call and ask you for your bank details.

Ofgem is NOT offering a £400 energy rebate, so beware of any scammers telling you this.