Help with fuel bills

With gas and electricity prices rising, many people are worried about energy bills also increasing.

Advice is available and it is worth checking to see if you qualify for a discount.

Energy saving tips

  1. Turn off standby appliances – turn appliances off at the plug to save around £55 a year
  2. Wash clothes on a colder cycle – Using your washing machine on a 30-degree cycle instead of higher temperatures and reducing your washing machine use by one run per week can save around £28 a year
  3. Reduce shower time – Keeping your shower time to 4 minutes could save a typical household £65 a year on energy bills.
  4. Turn off your lights – Turn your lights off when you leave a room could save you around £20 a year on energy bills.
  5. Avoid overfilling the kettle – By avoiding overfilling the kettle and using only what you need could save £11 a year on energy bills.

Tips are from the Energy Saving Trust based on the April 2022 price cap

Advice and information – Warm Homes Suffolk

Warm Homes Suffolk logoWarm Homes Suffolk is an initiative set up by councils in Suffolk to help residents live in homes that cost less to heat, so they can reduce their energy usage and enjoy lower bills.

The initiative can provide expert advice and support to shrink your fuel bills, fit loft and wall insulation, add solar PV panels to roofs and install energy efficient air source heat pumps.

To see if you are eligible:

Warm Homes Healthy People

Suffolk Warm Homes Healthy People logoSuffolk’s Warm Homes Healthy People is a project designed to help vulnerable people and families make their homes cheaper to heat.
The project can provide the following for eligible residents in Suffolk:

  • grants for First Time Central Heating
  • can lend households electric heaters if their boiler or heater has stopped working
  • point households in the direction of any grant funding available for energy efficiency measures
  • arrange for an independent surveyor to visit homes and discuss energy efficiency improvements that could make a difference to heating bills
  • the project can also access grants to help pay for insulation and basic draught proofing

Call Warm Homes Healthy People on 03456 037 686 or email whhp@eastsuffolk.gov.uk

Pre-payment meter support

Residents in Suffolk can benefit from tailored support if they are struggling with bills on a pre-payment meter.
This project aims to work with individuals to better understand pressures on their finances and the impact this is having on their lives. The service can carry out a home visit, as well as providing advice over the phone and by email.

The following support is available:

  • Income maximisation (through grants and benefits)
  • Budgeting advice
  • Help understanding bills and heating systems
  • Support to reduce energy expenditure (by promoting social tariffs and support to switch suppliers)
  • Improving household energy efficiency (by installing insulation, draught proofing, heating systems and solar panels)
  • Facilitating switch away from prepayment meters if appropriate

This scheme is being administered by East Suffolk Council on behalf of all Suffolk councils. Pre-payment meter customers who would like support can contact prepay@eastsuffolk.gov.uk to find out more, or call Prepay West 07769 365796.
For more information please visit: Help for Suffolk Pre-payment Meter customers. 

Warm Home Discount

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme.

The money is not paid to you - it’s a one-off discount on your electricity bill, between October 2022 and March 2023.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity and you’re eligible. Contact your supplier to find out.

To find out more visit GOV.UK - Warm Home Discount Scheme or phone 0800 731 0214.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 26 September 1956 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

The amount you’ll get includes a ‘Pensioner Cost of Living Payment’. This is between £150 and £300. You’ll only get this extra amount in winter 2022, 2023 and 2024. This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with your benefit or tax credits.

If you get the state pension, you'll usually get the payment automatically in November or December. To find out more, visit GOV.UK - Winter Fuel Payment or phone 0800 731 0160.

Cold weather payments

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or ‘Support for Mortgage Interest’.

A payment of £25 is made for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March (0°C or below over seven consecutive days). Visit GOV.UK - Cold Weather Payment to find out if you qualify.