Keep your home warm and your bills down this winter

Almost all of us have spent more time than usual at home over the last twelve months – with consequences for our energy bills! Is it time you made sure you’re not paying too much?

It’s Big Energy Saving Winter

Usually in January there’s a national week-long campaign called Big Energy Saving Week. This year, one week just wasn’t enough – so all winter long, we’re all being encouraged to Check, Switch and Save:

Check if you’re eligible for discounts, grants and support

Remember, your energy bills are one of your priority payments, because your supply could be disconnected if you don’t pay them. If you are struggling to pay your bills, remember that most energy suppliers have been offering some form of support to their customers during the pandemic – get in touch with your provider and see if they can help.

You may also be eligible for help from the government, for example through Winter Fuel Payments, Cold Weather Payments and/or the Warm Home Discount. Try our free benefits calculator to see if you could get additional help.

And if you’re one of our customers, please let us know straight away if you find it hard to pay your bills, so we can review your budget with you to ensure it remains sustainable.

Everyone deserves a safe, warm home this winter – please ask for help if you need it.

 

Switch your tariff or energy supplier to get the best deal

We know we say this a lot, but that’s because it’s one of the easiest, most important ways you can save money. Switching to a cheaper energy provider or tariff could save you hundreds of pounds a year- and you can do this easily by exploring a price comparison site to find a better deal.

 

Save money by becoming more energy efficient

• Turn off the radiators in any rooms that aren’t being used.
• Save energy in the kitchen. Check the settings on your fridge and freezer (fridges shouldn’t be set any lower than 5ºC, while freezers should be -18ºC); use a microwave, rather than the hob, to reheat food if you can; and don’t overfill the kettle.
• Remember to switch off TVs, laptops, gaming consoles etc – don’t just leave them on standby.
• One huge way to save money and energy is to make sure your home is properly insulated. Loft insulation and new windows make an enormous difference. These are big one-off expenses, so you might not be able to afford them right now. But there is plenty you can do yourself to prevent heat escaping from your home: check out the Energy Saving Trust’s draught-proofing guide for ideas.

 

Visit the Big Energy Saving Winter website to find out more. Stay safe and warm this winter!