Organisations providing information and advice on reducing your energy costs include:
- Ofgem – gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households for advice on suppliers, your rights as a consumer, the energy price cap and more.
- Citizens advice – citizensadvice.org.uk/consumer/energy/energy-supply/save-energy-at-home/make-sure-your-home-is-energy-efficient for general advice on how to save money on energy bills. Find contact details for your local citizens advice here citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/contact-us
- Energy Saving Trust – energysavingtrust.org.uk – Recognised as truly impartial, it aims to help you save money on energy bills and reduce your carbon footprint. It has a top 10 of energy saving actions energysavingtrust.org.uk/top-10-energy-saving-actions-for-your-home/ and you can sign up for their newsletter, Energywire for free, everyday energy saving advice email.energysavingtrust.org.uk/p/N26-15XR/energywire-sign-up.
- Money Saving Expert – moneysavingexpert.com – for wide ranging information and signposting. They have a checklist of ways to reduce heat loss and lower energy usage in your home, and some quick fixes alongside longer term changes to save you money. There are also energy savings guides, an interactive Household Energy Saving Tool and a great video full of ideas, moneysavingexpert.com/utilities/energy-saving-tips.
Advice on payment issues
- Check whether you are eligible for help from your energy supplier under the Energy Supplier Obligation (ESO) gov.uk/energy-company-obligation
- Money Saving Expert moneysavingexprert.com/utilities/how-to-get-help-if-you-re-struggling-with-your-energy-bills-/ has information on government support options, how to talk to your supplier about possible payment plans, and charities who can help, for example,
- Age UK, who urge people who are thinking of turning off or drastically reducing their heating, to contact their advice line first at ageuk.org.uk/contact-us or phone 0800 678 1602 free, 8am–7pm every day of the year.
- As well as other organisations listed here, if you have a disability, you can contact SCOPE for free energy advice on 0808 801 0828 or email [email protected].
- Carers Trust, can help you check whether you, as a carer, or the person you care for qualify for Winter-related benefits: carers.org/housing-and-heating-costs/help-heating-your-home.
