Many of us are concerned about energy costs and how we can stay warm but also afford other essential costs. With the Energy Price Cap having risen by 10% on 1 October 2024, most of us will see an increase to our bills. You can see how this change affects your bill, by using the Energy Price Cap calculator on the Money Saving Expert website. It’s important to remember that it is the energy rates that are capped not the amount you use – if you use more, you pay more.
A few simple steps that can help you save costs are:
- Turn off appliances on standby at the plug and switch lights off when you leave a room.
- Wash clothes at a lower temperature.
- Use a bowl for washing up instead of leaving the tap running, and efficient shower heads and a shower timer.
- Heat only the rooms you are in.
- Use extra layers of clothing and blankets to warm the person rather than the room.
- Don’t overfill the kettle when you boil it.
- Use drying racks instead of the tumble dryer.
- Turn your thermostat down by just one degree, which saves around £100 a year on average for a typical home.
- Make sure your fridge is set at 3-5°C and freezer at -18°C for energy efficiency.
- Fit a hot water cylinder jacket at least 80mm thick and with a British Standard Kitemark.
You can also call our Advice Line on 0345 241 0954 to make sure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. You may be entitled to Pension Credit and therefore the Winter Fuel Payment. Check at www.gov.uk/pension-credit
Local sources of help
- If you live in Peterborough or South Cambridgeshire, Local Energy Advice Partnerships (LEAP) provide free energy and money saving advice, information on tariffs and insulation grants, and things like free LED bulbs and draft proofing:
Find out more if you live in Peterborough.
Find out more if you live in South Cambridgeshire.
- Cambridgeshire Home Energy Support Service (CHESS) works in East Cambs, Fenland and Huntingdonshire. Their advisors identify and support households in, or at risk of, fuel poverty, and give energy efficiency advice over the phone or visit at home. They offer funding in some circumstances and signpost to other help. Call free on 0800 8021773 or see org.uk/projects/warmhomes/
- Norfolk county council has a web page full of useful information, gov.uk/article/41958/Help-and-advice-with-utility-bills, including Better Together Norfolk who have a telephone advice line, 0300 303 3920.
Extra support for carers in Norfolk
Thanks to the support of Carers Trust we have a new service called Carer Money Matters. We can help Norfolk carers – especially young adult carers – with information and sign posting to support with reducing energy costs and home safety measures (such as carbon monoxide alarms)
You can read more on our website about money and benefits and other support to manage financially.
