Help with your energy bills
Home is somewhere you want to feel safe and warm, that involves using energy to heat or cool your property, generate hot water and power all your appliances and devices. If you are struggling with your bills, help is out there. Most energy companies now have a fund to help anyone going through hardship, give yours a call and see how they can help.
Suppliers can also provide fuel vouchers to customers on a prepayment meter if they can’t afford to top up.
British Gas provide grants for customers and non-customers to help with energy bills so even if you get your gas and electric from another supplier, you can still apply for help.
Useful links
British Gas Energy Trust
britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
0121 348 7797
Ofgem – Priority Services Register
Ofgem.gov.uk
Money Saving Expert
moneysavingexpert.com
what is the cheapest way to cook?
| Appliance | Cost per Use (£) | Cost per week (£) | Cost per month (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric cooker | 0.59 | 17.84 | 217.05 |
| Gas oven | 0.14 | 4.2 | 51.1 |
| Gas Hob | 0.07 | 2.1 | 25.55 |
| Toaster | 0.03 | 0.97 | 11.84 |
| Air fryer | 0.2 | 6.01 | 73.22 |
| Microwave | 0.14 | 4.05 | 49.33 |
heat the human, not the home
In colder months, and with energy costs soaring, our household energy bills can rise drastically. MoneySavers have shared some tips to ‘heat the human, not the home’ to cut down on energy use.
Layer clothing to keep in the heat
- Eat regularly and try to have at least one hot meal a day
- Keep your feet warm with rugs and slippers
- Put your feet up, literally! The floor can be the coldest part of the house
- Use a sleeping bag or blanket to stay warm
- Go for a walk or exercise, get the blood flowing
Useful links
MyLiving Well
mylivingwell.co.uk
Money Saving Expert
moneysavingexpert.com
Take a look at some others ways to heat yourself in your home:
| Appliance | Method | Cost per hour (£) | Cost to purchase (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microwaveable wheat bag | Microwave – 60 seconds | Less than 1p | £4 |
| Hot water bottle | Boil water in kettle, or use hot tap | 4p | £5.50 |
| Reusable hand warmers | Boil in water on hob | Less than 1p (gas hob) 4p (electric hob) | £5 / pair |
| Electric heat pad | Plug into mains | 2p | £20 |
| Electric blanket | Plug into mains | 2p | £35 |
GoCompare’s Energy Calculator
It has become more expensive for providers to buy energy, which led to it costing more for everyone to power their homes and businesses. This is why GoCompare have developed an interactive energy cost calculator tool. To find out how much something costs to run, use the calculator to pick the appliances you want to compare and select how long they’ll be in use for.
Yorkshire water
Yorkshire Water have various schemes in place if you are struggling. Please make sure you speak to them before you get into debt. Some of the schemes they have an offer are:
| Scheme | What? | Who? |
|---|---|---|
| Water Sure | Bill cap scheme for water meter customers | Customers that claim an income-based benefit or Universal Credit, have a medical condition, or have 3+ children |
| Resolve | Debt support scheme | Customers that are struggling to catch up on previous water bills |
| Water Support | Bill cap scheme | Customers who have a low household income and an annual water bill of more than £350 |
| Water Direct | Debt support scheme | Customers who receive a deductible income-based benefit |
| Community Trust | Debt support scheme | Customers who have Yorkshire Water arrears between £50 and £1500, and at least one priority debt |
Useful links
Yorkshire Water – help paying your bill
yorkshirewater.com
03451 299 299
Yorkshire Water: Save Water
yorkshirewater.com/your-water/save-water/
broadband
There are ways to get Wi-Fi without a credit check, with bad credit, or while claiming Universal Credit. You could apply for pay-as-you-go mobile broadband or choose a rolling contract e.g. with Plusnet, NOW Broadband or Direct Save Telecom.
If you are claiming benefits you may be eligible to access cut-price reliable broadband and mobile deals, called social tariffs.
Social tariffs are discounted broadband and mobile deals for people on Universal Credit, Pension Credit and other benefits.
These tariffs are delivered in the same way as normal packages, just at a lower price.
A large number of broadband providers now offer discounted social tariff products, with some offering deals from as low as £12 per month. Ofcom has more details on its website of those eligible for the social tariffs.
Virgin Media O2’s Essential Broadband package is for people facing financial difficulty and receiving certain benefit payments. The plan offers speeds of 15Mbps and costs £12.50 per month. The plan has no fixed-term contract length and no price changes while benefit payments are being received.
Providers will often work with customers on a case-by-case basis to explore alternative agreements so do contact providers to find out your options.
Broadband Savvy
With the cost of living crisis that we’re facing at the moment, and with inflation as high as it is, you might be looking for other ways to save on your monthly broadband bill.
In this guide, Broadband Savvy have explained seven methods you can use to save as much money on broadband as possible, while still getting the digital connectivity you need at home. Take a look here: https://broadbandsavvy.com/how-to-save-money-on-broadband/
Useful links
Money Saving Expert
moneysavingexpert.com
uswitch
uswitch.com
uswitch
Deals for low income families
Ofcom
ofcom.org.uk
Broadband Savvy
https://broadbandsavvy.com/