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CHECK, SWITCH, AND INSULATE, TO SAVE ON ENERGY THIS WINTER

Published: 1 January 2011

UK Energy Summit 17 October 2011: 
Measures agreed to help consumers save money on gas and electricity bills

We know energy prices are a big worry for people this winter. We are working with the Government, energy suppliers, Citizen’s Advice,  Age UK and Which? to help you cut your energy bills. All these organisations are offering ways that will help you to save money on your gas and electricity bill. 

CHECK if there’s a cheaper way to pay – you could save the most money by paying by Direct Debit, or moving to an online or dual fuel tariff. Monthly direct debit is on average £100 cheaper per year than paying by cash or cheque. If you pay by cash or cheque your supplier will be writing to you over the next few months to let you know if they can offer you a cheaper deal.

SWITCH to a cheaper energy tariff or energy firm – you may be able to save up to £200 off your annual bill by shopping around for a different supplier, particularly if you have never changed energy firm. An accredited switching website or phone line can help you to find the best deal – with a wider range of tariff offers which may give a better saving than switching on your doorstep. You can also contact energy suppliers directly.

and INSULATE your home – every supplier is offering free or cut price deals for loft insulation, cavity wall insulation and other measures. Full loft and cavity wall insulation could help stop your home leaking heat and save you more than £100 per year on your energy bill.

to SAVE money off your energy bill and put it back into your pocket.

Where to get help?

CHECK if there’s a cheaper way to pay

If you pay by cash or cheque your supplier will be writing to you this winter but you don’t have to wait for their letter to find out if you could be saving money. You can contact your energy supplier on the phone numbers below to ask them what the cheapest deal is that they can offer you.

You can also find out whether you are eligible for extra financial help if you are on a low income or additional support from the suppliers’ Priority Services Register.

British Gas Tel: 0800 048 0202
EDF Energy Tel: 0800 096 9000
E.ON  Tel: 0845 059 9905
npower Tel: 0845 070 4851 (monthly direct debit) 0845 070 4850 (cash, cheque or quarterly direct debit customers) 0845 070 4853 (pre-payment meter customer)
SSE Group  Tel: 0845 7444 555 (SSE and Southern Electric) 0845 300 2141 (Scottish Hydro) 0800 052 5252 (SWALEC) 0845 073 3030 (Atlantic)
Scottish Power Tel: 0845 270 0700
Co-operative Energy Tel: 0800 954 0693
Ebico Tel: 0800 458 7689
Ecotricity Tel: 0845 555 7100 (domestic customers)
First Utility Tel: 0845 215 5000
Good Energy Tel: 0845 601 1410
Green Energy Tel: 0800 783 8851
Ovo Tel: 0800 5999 440 or 01285 771 800
Spark Energy Tel: 0845 034 7474
Utilita Tel: 0845 450 4357
Utility Warehouse Tel: 0844 815 7777

SWITCH to a cheaper energy firm

Switching sites can help you find the best gas and electricity rates for you. Make sure you use a switching service accredited by Consumer Focus’ confidence code to guarantee you get independent, accurate and up-to-date information to help you get the best deal. There are 13 accredited sites, nine of which also have a telephone service:

The Energy Best Deal scheme, run by Citizens Advice and Ofgem, offers face-to-face advice sessions, which help people to shop around and switch, reduce their bills, and get help if they are falling behind on payments.  Extra advice is also available online through six new help films.

Insulate your home and save energy

You can contact Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 336699 for advice on saving energy and grants and schemes available to help make your home warmer and save you money.

You can also speak directly to your energy firm about the free or discounted insulation and other energy efficiency measures they may be able to offer you under the CERT scheme. The contact details for each supplier are below.

British Gas – 0800 980 8177
E.ON – 0800 479 0162
EDF Energy – 0800 096 9966
npower – 0800 02 22 20
ScottishPower – 0845 601 7836
SSE – 0800 072 7201

Other help and information:

  • Your local Citizens Advice Bureau or Age UK could offer advice and information if you’re having trouble paying your energy bills, tell you about help available and check whether you may be entitled to cash benefits and to low cost or no cost home improvements. Citizens Advice also offers energy advice through its online advice guide and is running a campaign with DECC to help consumers get a better deal on their heating oil this winter.
  • Consumer Focus and Which? offer online energy information. Consumer Focus also runs a scheme which directs people to the best energy switching services.
  • DirectGov has new advice pages to help you save money on your energy bills. Consumer Direct also offers energy advice and help with complaints on their national and local rate helplines.

Wales

Energy customers in Wales can call the Welsh Government’s Nest scheme on freephone 0800 512 012 (or 0300 456 2655 from mobiles). It offers advice on saving energy, and can tell you whether you could be entitled to extra cash to help make ends meet and if you qualify for free or low cost home improvements, to help make your home warmer.

Scotland

For advice on keeping your home warm and for further information about offers and discounts, consumers in Scotland can contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland Hotline on 0800 512 012 or complete an online Home Energy Check

Take action today and save money on your energy bill


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