The Energy Price Cap rise is extremely worrying for many people, but it’s important to know that there are options you can explore to offset the costs of rising gas, electricity and water bills.
The last thing energy companies want is for their customers to be suffering and all suppliers will have staff available to talk to in order work out affordable payment plans. Government rules state that suppliers must work with you and you can talk to them to get a review of your current payments and to arrange for ‘payment breaks’ to give you more time.
Thames Water can also help if you’re struggling with water bills. Low-income households (those earning less than £20,111 in London) can get discounts of up to 50% through its WaterHelp programme.
There are also hardship funds that can be accessed that can help offset bills and the Priority Service registration is a free support service that suppliers run to help if you are in a vulnerable situation.
Find out more here:
- https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/check-if-energy-price-cap-affects-you
- https://www.thameswater.co.uk/help/account-and-billing/financial-support/waterhelp
- https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register
Switching your energy provider could be a good way of saving money on your energy bills. Westminster residents can take part in the London-wide Big London Energy Switch. This involves you joining a large group of customers and inviting energy providers to bid for your collective contracts. This guarantees you’ll get the cheapest deal possible, although there’s no obligation to switch provider if you so choose.
Londoners can also exclusively access a fair-priced green energy company called London Power, a joint initiative between the Mayor of London and Octopus Energy, with electricity generated from 100 per cent renewable sources.
Always remember to keep an eye on your energy bills and to regularly check with price comparison sites to make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
Find out more here:
- https://biglondonenergyswitch.co.uk/landing
- https://www.london.gov.uk/programmes-strategies/environment-and-climate-change/energy/london-power
- https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register
Knowing your rights if your provider fails
It’s important to know that even if your energy supplier stops trading, the national energy regulator (Ofgem), has made sure that your gas and electricity supply will continue. You will never be left without power and a new supplier will be automatically appointed for you. If you happened to be in credit on your account, this money will either be transferred as well or returned to you.
Ofgem has plenty of advice on how you will be protected in these circumstances and it’s important to make sure you stay aware of any changes in case it results in higher bills. Another great source of impartial advice is Money Saving Expert, which keeps regularly updated information on all the ways you can save on your bills, find cheaper tariffs and make your home more energy efficient.
Find out more here:
- https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/news-and-views/blog/how-youre-protected-when-energy-firms-collapse
- https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/getting-extra-help-priority-services-register
National support schemes
The government has set up several nationwide support schemes that can help certain eligible people with their energy bills. The Winter Fuel Payment is a £100 to £300 payment for older people born on or before 5 October 1954. Residents that are receiving certain types of benefit payments or credits could be eligible for Cold Weather Payments – a £25 payment for every 7 days of very cold weather between November and March. You can see if you’re eligible by visiting this website.
If you’re classified as being on ‘low income’ or are in what’s known as the ‘core group’ of those receiving Pension Credit, you could also receive the Warm Home Discount – a £140 discount on your energy bills. This scheme has currently been extended until March 2026.
Find out more:
- https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
- https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment
- https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme
Local support schemes
At a local level, Westminster can give you several support options for rising energy bills. Citizens Advice Westminster has some handy information on ways you can manage your energy bills (contact 0808 278 7834 or use this referral form for more), while the Green Doctors are a London-based charity that offers free and impartial energy advice to low-income households, the over-65s or those with long-term health conditions or disabilities (check the website for the full list of who is eligible) to help residents stay warm, save money and live greener. This can be through telephone consultations or even home visits to identify measures specific to your home.
Find out more:
- https://www.westminstercab.org.uk/advice/lets-talk-money-project/are-you-struggling-to-pay-your-energy-bills/
- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScGz0D3rtm5tz9-LNGZvAgFeRD1k9rzN6XmvSC-5bWF00CGTg/viewform
Ways to lower energy bills
Smart Meters
One way to make sure you’re only paying for the energy you actually use is to have a smart meter installed in your home. Smart meters eliminate the need for providers to ‘guess’ at the amount of gas or electricity you use (usually based on general trends rather than individual usage), and also help when you’re unable to submit your own manual readings, especially useful for those with mobility issues or hard-to-reach meters.
Upgrading Your Boiler
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government programme to support the decarbonisation of homes. It can provide you with a grant of £5,000 to £6,000 to help you replace a fossil fuel heating system with a low-carbon heating system. These can be more energy efficient and help lower your bills.
Energy Saving Tips
There are practical tips for lowering energy usage (and therefore costs) in your home from the Energy Saving Trust. These include improving your loft and wall insulation, draught proofing your home and even installing your own energy generating devices such as solar panels. Even little fixes around the home can mount up to significant savings in your energy bills, such as:
- Boiling the kettle for cooking water and only boiling it as much as you need
- Cleaning out your radiators to make them more effective
- Closing your curtains to help keep heat in
- Using energy efficient lightbulbs
Find out more: