1. business and industrial
2. energy
3. renewable energy

HOW TO SAVE
MONEY ON YOUR
ENERGY BILLS
WINTER 2013/14
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Margot James MP
15-17 Lawn Avenue
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 3UR
01384 370574
E-mail:
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
Website: www.margotjames.com
Twitter: @MargotJamesMP
Margot holds regular advice surgeries across the area, giving you the opportunity to
raise issues or problems in person. Please contact Margot’s office to make an
appointment.
Margot is always happy to try and help with any concerns or problems you may
have, so if you think we can assist, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Margot James MP
Member of Parliament for Stourbridge
15-17 Lawn Avenue
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 3UR
01384 370 574
This help guide has been prepared with great care. The publisher is not, however,
liable for correctness, completeness and up-to-dateness of the contents. If you wish to
make a correction, update or addition, please contact:
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
2
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
www.margotjames.com
Twitter: @MargotJamesMP
21
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
01538 788 083
www.beexpress.co.uk/greendeal
0208 454 7375
CV Energy Ltd.
www.cvenergy.co.uk
01926 857 894
Green Deal Advisor Association
www.GDAA.org.uk
01572 725 533
GHE Solar Limited
www.ghesolar.co.uk
01635 202 612
CarbonLow Real Estate Limited
www.carbonlowgreendeal.co.uk
08456 346 071 / 01246 452 982
Osborne Energy Limited
www.osborneenergy.co.uk
01424 436 793
Eco Technical Services (UK) Ltd
www.ecotechnicals.co.uk
0844 504 0250
BeExpress Energy Advisors
20
WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU
CAN SAVE MONEY?
Worried about how to pay for your energy
use? Concerned about rising energy bills?
If so then this guide can help. There is
lots of help already out there but it can
sometimes be hard to find and difficult to
know who to turn to.
This guide is designed to help you to
make your home more energy efficient
and make you aware of what support is
now available.
There is advice on how to get the best
deal from your energy supplier and details
about schemes such as the Government’s
Green Deal which can enable you to
install energy saving measures at no
upfront cost.
Included is also a range of financial
assistance to which you may be entitled.
The Pensions Service has a helpline
(08456 060 265) dedicated to helping
elderly people get the financial support
that they need and can help you to make
an application.
At the end is a list of various organisations
that can offer advice and support to you
and answer any of your questions.
Now is the time to start thinking about
how you can stay warm and save money
this winter.
Margot James MP
3
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME
MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
and kettles, as well as heating and lighting
products will have this logo prominently
displayed.
www.greendealassessors.biz
0800 599 9110
www.quodox.co.uk
0208 908 5141
Green Deal Savings Ltd
Eco Deal Ltd
www.greendealsavingsltd.co.uk
0845 835 0606
www.eco-deal.co.uk
01706 625 375
AAA Green Deal Assessors Ltd
Green4Homes Ltd
www.aaagreendealassessors.co.uk
01639 897 401
www.greendeal4homes.com
0208 835 7076
digitalenergy Ltd
Solarwise Renewables Limited
www.digitalenergy.org.uk
0845 003 9087
01443 492 532
Cavity Wall Insulation
Check your Boiler
Approximately one third of heat lost in an
uninsulated home is through the walls.
Insulating your walls is a very cost
effective way of saving money and energy
in your home. If your home was built
between the 1920s and the 1990s then
insulating your walls could save you £110
on your annual heating bills. Not all
homes can be insulated in this way, so if
your home is a solid wall construction or
was built before the 1920s, you may wish
to consider installing internal or external
wall insulation which could save you £375
each year.
Loft Insulation
An uninsulated loft can result in you losing
15% of the heating that you pay for.
Insulating your loft with 270mm of
insulation could save you up to £145
each year. Some energy companies offer
free cavity wall and loft insulation but only
some customers may be eligible.
Look for the Energy
Saving Trust Logo
If your boiler is over 15 years old then it
could be time to replace it with a new
energy efficient one. Replacing an old
boiler with an A-rated condensing model
with a full set of heating controls could
save you a quarter of your annual heating
bill immediately, which is £235 on
average for a gas heated home.
Insulate your Hot Water Tank
An insulating jacket for a hot water tank
does not cost very much and very soon
pays for itself. Fitting a jacket that is
75mm or three inches thick will save
about £35 each year.
Close your Curtains
As the days grow shorter as winter
approaches, closing your curtains at dusk
helps to stop heat escaping through
windows. This is a simple and free way of
reducing wasted energy and your
energy bills.
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
When buying new
electrical products, look
for the Energy Saving
Trust logo which is a
quick and simple way of finding the most
energy efficient products. Electrical
appliances such as televisions, computers
4
InstaGroup Limited
Northgate Information Solutions
www.northgate-energy.com
0845 217 9778
www.instagroup.co.uk/greendeal
0800 051 7420
Eco Advisory Ltd
Enhance Energy Solutions Ltd
www.enhanceenergy.co.uk
01792 650 001
www.ecoadvisory.co.uk
01482 772 518
Toriga Energy Limited
Energy saving bulbs last up to 10 times as
long as regular bulbs and if you replace all
your light bulbs with energy efficient ones,
you could save up to £45 each year and
£670 over the lifetime of all the bulbs.
Vibrant Energy Matters Ltd
www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk
0845 0945 192
Quodox Energy Ltd
www.toriga-energy.com
08456 806 556
Eulinx Energy Services
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
www.voltagreendeal.co.uk
01614 255 144
www.britishgas.co.uk/greendeal
0800 107 2750
Low Carbon Exchange Ltd
Energy Trust
www.lowcarbonexchange.com
01173 591 410
www.energy-trust.co.uk
0845 680 6780
Climate Energy Limited
Low Carbon Finance Ltd
www.climateenergy.org.uk
0800 0352 327
www.lcfgd.com
01254 608 561
Network Green Deal Limited
Michael Dyson Associates Limited
www.greendealnet.co.uk
01572 725 530
www.mdyson.co.uk
01484 666 888
Green Deal Union Ltd
1 Green Place
www.greendealunion.com
0800 046 9190
www.thegreendeal.co.uk
0845 626 2255
The Green Deal Wales.com
Intellygen Energy Audits
www.thegreendealwales.com
0800 810 1060
www.intellygen.com
0121 288 1494
We Greenerise Ltd
Tameside Energy Services Ltd
www.we-greenerise.com
0800 779 7002
British Gas Trading Limited
www.tamesideenergyservices.co.uk
0800 093 0998
Green Deal Assessors Ltd
18
Generate your own Power
YOUR ENERGY SUPPLIER
If you have the funds available, you could
install your own microgeneration units
such as solar photovoltaics (PV) for
electricity and ground source heat pumps
for heat. Government schemes such as
the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) can offer you an
income from the electricity that you
generate and the Renewable Heat
Premium Payment (RHPP) can help you to
cover the upfront cost of installing green
heating systems.
You could save money by switching to
another energy supplier that is best suited
to your needs. In order to get advice on
which supplier and price plan would be
best for you, you can contact the Citizens
Advice Consumer Service which offers
free and impartial advice as well as
information on how to choose and change
energy suppliers.
Take a Home Energy Check
The Energy Saving Trust has an online
home energy check which you can find at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or by
calling 0300 123 1234. You can complete
an online questionnaire which will give you
specific advice on how you can improve
your home’s energy efficiency. The Energy
Saving Trust can give you free and
impartial advice on how to make your
home more energy efficient and tell you
about financial grants that may be
available.
Consumer Futures also has details of
price comparison websites. The contact
details for Consumer Futures and
accredited comparison websites can be
found at the end of this guide.
Switching Made Easy
A range of measures are being taken to
make it easier to switch suppliers. The
time that it takes to change energy
supplier is limited to three weeks so as to
speed up the process for consumers and
so that they can start to benefit from
reduced bills a lot sooner.
The Government is simplifying the entire
process and making information on tariffs
and price plans more accessible and far
easier to understand. From 2014 energy
suppliers will be obliged to place customers
on the cheapest tariff and thus save money
on their bills.
In addition, if you are disabled, have a
long-term illness or are over the pension
age, you can ask your energy supplier
about registering for the Priority Service
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Register. This would enable you to get
help with annual gas safety checks, meter
readings, priority treatment in an
emergency and most importantly means
that you cannot have your utilities
disconnected during the winter.
Energy companies also offer other forms
of assistance to their customers. If you
are having trouble paying your bills or are
worried about the cost of energy this
winter, you should get in touch with your
energy supplier as soon as possible to see
what is on offer. Examples include:
EDF Energy Trust Fund
EDF Energy has created the EDF Energy
Trust Fund which is designed to award
grants to their customers to:
■
■
■
Help to clear domestic gas and
electricity debts.
Clear other priority debts (also known
as Further Assistance Payments).
Purchase essential household items.
For more information and details on how
to apply, visit www.edfenergytrust.org.uk
The British Gas Energy Trust
The British Gas Energy Trust is a
registered charity designed to offer
assistance to those customers who have
difficulty in paying their utility bills.
Individuals and families who require help
can apply to have their gas and electricity
debts cleared, and other priority debts can
6
be paid off in exceptional circumstances.
This help would be provided in the form of
grants which would not have to be repaid.
You can apply by completing an online
form at
www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk but
also by requesting a form through the post
by telephoning 01733 421 060.
Further Assistance Payments
Further Assistance Payments can be
made available for household items such
as cookers, washing machines or
refrigerators when they break down and
need to be replaced but there must be an
urgent need for such financial assistance.
A letter would need to be provided from
an appropriate professional indicating
that there was an urgent and special need
for the item to be replaced. For example,
this professional could be a health worker
or social worker.
These payments can also be made
available for such things as replacing or
repairing a boiler. Exceptional
circumstances would have to be proved
and supporting letters from appropriate
professionals would also need to confirm
the requirement for such a payment. In
addition, quotes for the work would have
to be provided before any award was
made.
To obtain an application form, please
contact 01733 421 021 or email
admin@charisgrants.com. Alternatively,
you can complete the form online at
www.charisgrants.com.
Green Vision Limited
www.greevisionenergy.co.uk
0115 854 7498
www.ideaenergysurveys.co.uk
01325 352 221
Infinity Energy Organisation Limited
Anesco Limited
www.anesco.co.uk
01189 702 595
www.infinityenergyorganisation.com
02036 384 030
MEB Total Ltd
Darren Evans Assessments Limited
www.darren-evans.co.uk
01454 317 940
www.mebtotal.co.uk
08452 263 233
Energy Solutions Ltd
EAS - Energy Assessors Services
Limited
www.enchanceenergy.co. uk
01792 650 001
www.e-a-s.co.uk
0800 756 6831
Go-Green Energy (Group) Ltd
Volta Solar Ltd
www.go-greenenergy.co.uk
0800 043 0191
www.voltagreendeal.co.uk
01614 255144
Inteb Sustainability Limited
Ampere GDP Ltd
www.inteb.co.uk
01995 642 271
www.Ampere-GDP.com
01271 323 052
Carillion Energy Services Ltd
www.carillionenergy.co.uk
0800 917 5772
Idea Energy Surveys Ltd
Volta Solar Ltd
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
GREEN DEAL PROVIDERS
CONTACT MEMBERS
1North Ltd
WHAT HELP IS THERE?
or Jobcentre Plus.
(FROM OCTOBER 2013)
www.1north.co.uk
0800 043 0365
Cold Weather Payments
Winter Fuel Payments
This is a payment that is made to help you
with the cost of heating during the winter
months depending on if you are already in
receipt of other benefits.
Winter Fuel Payments are yearly one-off
payments that also help people to pay for
their heating bills during winter. They are
paid to men and women who have
reached the minimum age at which they
can receive their State Pension. The
amount that is paid is dependent upon
your circumstances when you apply, but it
could be between £100 and £300.
Solar Air (UK) Limited
Keepmoat Limited
www.solarairuk.com
01227 265 871
www.keepmoat.com
01302 346 620
letsgogreendeal.com
Your Green Deal Provider Limited
www.letsgogreendeal.com
0800 025 7223
www.yourgdp.com
01482 881 241
Energy Performance Direct Ltd
PGL Training
www.energyperformancedirect.co.uk
01392 435 052
www.pgltraining.com
01392 437 373
Green Deal Atlantic Ltd
Ellipse Energy Limited
www.greendealatlantic.com
0163 787 3041
www.ellipseenergy.co.uk
01509 410 377
SIG Energy Management Ltd
Capita Business Systems
www.sigenergy.co.uk
0800 564 456
You may be entitled to Cold Weather
Payments if you receive:
■
■
■
■
■
You do not need to apply for Cold Weather
Payments as they will be automatically
paid into the same bank account as your
other benefit payments.
A payment of £25 is made for each seven
day period of cold weather between the
1st November and the 31st March.
Payments will be made when the local
temperature is either:
■
www.capita.co.uk
■
Energy Basics Limited
Home Survey Reports Ltd.
www.energybasics.co.uk
03302 230 020
www.homesurveyreports.co.uk
0161 764 8780
16
Pension Credit.
Income Support.
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income-related Employment and
Support Allowance (ESA).
Universal Credit.
Recorded as an average of zero
degrees Celsius or below over seven
consecutive days.
Forecast to be an average of zero
degrees Celsius or below over seven
consecutive days.
How to claim
Once you have reached the qualifying age
(if you were born on or before the 5th July
1952) or if you are receiving certain
benefits, you should automatically be sent
a claim form in the post.
If you do not receive the claim form, you
can request a copy of the form to be sent
to you in the post by calling 0845 915
1515 or you can download the form by
visiting www.gov.uk and searching for
‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
The form then needs to be returned to the
following address:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Department for Work and Pensions
PO Box 22
Gateshead
NE92 1BX
If you do not receive a Cold Weather
Payment when you are entitled, you
should contact either your pension centre
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Do I need to claim?
■
You need to claim Winter Fuel Payment if
you have not had it before and either of
the following apply:
■
■
■
You do not get benefits or the State
Pension.
You only get Housing Benefit, Council
Tax Reduction, or Child Benefit.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount is a four year
scheme which will run from April 2011 to
March 2015 and is designed to help lowincome and vulnerable households with
their energy bills.
The Government informs energy
suppliers of households which are
eligible for the Warm Home Discount and
the energy company then gives those
households a rebate on their electricity
bills. Older people will be considered as
part of a ‘core group’ and will be
guaranteed the rebate, which for this
winter amounts to £135, provided that
on 20th July 2013 they were either:
■
■
75 or over and getting the Guarantee
Credit element of Pension Credit
(even if you get Savings Credit).
Under 75 and only getting the
Guarantee Credit element of Pension
Credit (you will not qualify if you also
get Savings Credit).
And all of the following apply:
8
Their electricity supplier is
participating in the scheme.
Their or their partner’s name is on
their electricity bill.
If you do qualify for the ‘core group’, a
confirmation letter will be sent to you in
the autumn from the Government and
you will receive your rebate
automatically.
There may be instances, however, when
a rebate cannot be made automatically
but if this is the case, you will receive a
letter asking for you to supply further
information.
It is not just the elderly who can qualify
but other vulnerable households too.
Those on low-incomes or those with longterm illnesses or disabilities may also be
eligible. Electricity suppliers that are
participating in the scheme have been
requested to set aside a certain amount
which will be used to support these
households which is known as the
‘broader group’.
The Warm Home Discount is expected to
help approximately two million
households by 2014 and will be worth up
to £1.1 billion compared to the previous
‘social tariff’ scheme which was worth
only £375 million. Some energy
companies that are participating will be
able to offer more help than others. EDF
Energy, for instance, estimates that
between 40,000-45,000 customers will
benefit from the Warm Home Discount
scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment
A form of financial help from the
Government for elderly people. For
information and application forms to
claim the payment, please contact:
Moneysupermarket.com
www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-andelectricity
0845 345 1296
08459 151 515
www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
PRICE COMPARISON SITES
ACCREDITED BY CONSUMER
FUTURES
switchgasandelectric.com
www.switchgasandelectric.com
TheEnergyShop.com
www.theenergyshop.com
0845 330 7247
Energy Helpline
www.energyhelpline.com
0800 074 0745
Which? Switch
www.which.co.uk/switch
01992 822867
SimplySwitch
www.simplyswitch.com
08000 111 395
Unravelit
www.unravelit.com/utilities.php
0800 862 0021
UK Power
www.ukpower.co.uk
0800 093 2447
Uswitch
www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity
0800 404 7908
myutiltygenius.co.uk
myutiltygenius.co.uk
www.energylinx.co.uk
www.energylinx.co.uk
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HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Energy Saving Trust
A national, non-profit, organisation
providing free and impartial information
and advice on how to improve energy
efficiency in your home. Linked to a
network of local advice centres.
0300 123 1234
enquiries@est-southwest.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register is the official body for
gas safety. They can provide you with
advice on gas appliances as well as
having a clear register of all reputable
companies involved in the field of
supplying gas.
0800 408 5500
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
Home Heat Helpline
A free helpline which can provide
practical advice for people worried about
their fuel bills. This line can also give
advice to low-income households in
urgent need of help and advice.
Open from 9am-8pm Monday to Friday
and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.
0800 336 699
www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
Jobcentre Plus Benefits
As this scheme is already up and running
and as there is limited discretionary
funding for the ‘broader group’, it is
absolutely vital to apply to your energy
supplier as soon as possible. They will
also be able to tell you whether you are
eligible to receive support.
The energy companies that are
participating in the Warm Homes Discount
scheme are as follows:
Jobcentre Plus can provide you with a
wide range of information and services
on issues such as which benefits, loans
or grants that you may be entitled to.
Atlantic Energy and Gas
British Gas
0800 055 6688
www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
E.ON
Equipower
EDF Energy
Equigas
Ofgem
First Utility
Manweb
Ofgem is the government regulator for
the gas and electricity markets. Its
purpose is to protect consumers and
does offer consumer advice on its
website.
M&S Energy
www.ofgem.gov.uk
Pensions Advisory Service
ScottishPower
An advice helpline that can provide
elderly people with advice on benefits to
which they may be entitled.
0845 601 2923
www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Npower
Surviving Winter Fund
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies take
natural resources and use them to
provide free electricity and heating rather
than relying on fossil fuels. This can help
to drive down the cost of energy as well as
reducing carbon emissions.
There are a variety of renewable energy
technologies which are available for
homeowners to install which include:
■
■
■
■
■
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar Thermal Water Heating
Heat Pumps
Wood Fuels
Wind Energy
There are also a range of incentives that
have been provided by the Government to
help fund these installations which are
detailed below.
Sainsbury’s Energy
Scottish Gas
Scottish Hydro
Southern Electric
SSE
Swalec
The Renewable Heat Premium
Payment
The Renewable Heat Premium Payment is
a Government scheme that is designed to
help you to afford the renewable
technology that you may need for your
home. These may include:
Utility Warehouse
■
■
■
Solar thermal panels
Heat pumps
Biomass boilers
Who can apply?
14
9
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
How you currently heat your home will
determine which technologies you can
apply to be funded:
■
■
If you have recently removed a
mains gas heating system or
currently heat your home with mains
gas, you are only eligible to apply for
solar thermal.
If you currently rely on oil, liquid gas,
solid fuel or electricity then you could
also apply for air-to-water heat
pumps, ground-source or watersource heat pumps and biomass
boilers.
You must own the property in which you
wish to install the renewable technology
or, if you rent your home, you must have
permission from the landlord and be
purchasing the installation for yourself.
The property must have loft insulation to
250mm and also cavity wall insulation (if
this is possible in your property).
Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs)
Consumer Futures
Should you decide to install
microgeneration technology in your
property, you could apply for the Feed-inTariff scheme. The scheme is designed to
give you a minimum payment for the
electricity that is generated by the system
and additional payments for any surplus
electricity that is then transferred to the
national grid. These payments are in
addition to the savings that you would
make on your energy bills.
A statutory organisation representing
consumers. Consumer Futures can help
you by providing advice and information
regarding the energy market. They cannot,
however, discuss individual complaints
with members of the public..
The FIT scheme covers electricity that is
generated by the following means:
■
■
■
■
■
All the necessary planning and
environmental permissions must already
be in place and the product and installer
you choose must be certified under the
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
(MCS) or Solar Keymark.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Renewable Heat
Premium Payment online through the
Energy Saving Trust’s website at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scheme/
view/rhpp. Alternatively, you can
telephone on 0300 123 1234.
10
Solar electricity (PV)
Wind turbine
Hydroelectricity
Anaerobic digestion (microorganisms
break down biodegradable material to
release energy)
Micro combined heat and power
(otherwise know as Micro-CHP,
although this is limited to a pilot at
this stage)
The tariffs vary depending upon when the
technology was installed and whether the
company installing the technology was
certified under the Microgeneration
Certification Scheme (MCS).
Registering for FITs
The easiest way to apply for the FIT
scheme is to first contact your installer.
They will then register you on the MCS
database and send you a certificate which
USEFUL CONTACTS
Age UK
www.consumerfutures.org.uk
DWP General Benefits Line
An independent charity, Age UK provides
information and advice for elderly people
about a wide range of issues and can
refer you to other organisations which
can provide more practical help.
Age UK Stourbridge
The Elton Centre at St. Johns
St. Johns Road
Stourbridge
DY8 1EJ
01384 390 065
www.ageuk.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
www.adviceguide.org.uk for online
information.
CAB Dudley District
69 Market Street
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 1AQ
Monday 9.30am—12.30pm Wednesday—
Friday 9.30am - 14.30pm
The DWP Benefits Line is a free helpline
which can advise you on any benefits to
which you may be entitled. They can also
send you the necessary forms and help
you complete them so you can make a
claim.
0800 055 6688
Energy Ombudsman
Contact the Energy Ombudsman if you
have a problem or complaint that cannot
be resolved by your energy supplier.
In the first instance, you should always
contact your energy supplier. Only when
they have exhausted their complaints
procedures should you contact the
Ombudsman.
0330 440 1624 or 01925 530 263
www.ombudsman-services.org/
energy.html
13
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
expect the savings on your bills to pay for
all the work done and in addition, by
taking steps to reduce your energy
consumption you will be better protected
from any rises in energy prices.
Who will do the work?
Many organisations will bring the Green
Deal to your attention such as your local
Council, your landlord, local community
groups, local builders or by your energy
company themselves. If you would like to
take advantage of the Green Deal
scheme, you should contact one of these
groups and they will be able to advise you
further and put you in touch with an
accredited installer. It is only those
installers who have been accredited and
will carry a “quality mark” that will be able
to carry out work under the Green Deal.
Consumer protection will be at the heart
of the Green Deal and these will include
measures such as:
■
■
■
■
■
12
New accreditation and standards
arrangements for those authorised
under the Green Deal.
Stronger cold calling protections.
A robust standard of warranties.
The cross-selling of products only
when customers have agreed this in
advance.
Regulations so that assessors must
make their role clear and disclose
when they move from making an
impartial assessment to the stage of
making a sale.
Part of the Green Deal will be the Energy
Company Obligation (ECO) which will
require energy companies to provide more
funding for energy efficiency measures to
be installed in homes across the country.
This will be targeted at particularly
vulnerable and low income households
and those homes that are difficult to heat.
Money will be specifically set aside to
provide support with an estimated 2.8
million hard-to-treat cavity wall properties
being eligible under ECO.
will show your MCS compliance.
Then you should inform your chosen FIT
supplier that you wish to register for the
FIT scheme. You will also have to send
them a completed application form as
well as the MCS certificate and the Energy
Performance Certificate that proves your
home has an energy efficiency rating of
band D or better.
The Green Deal
The Green Deal came into effect from
October 2012.
The Green Deal is a new initiative which
will allow individuals and businesses to
install energy saving measures at no
upfront cost and will really help to improve
the energy efficiency of properties.
Millions of homes and businesses could
benefit from improvements under the
Green Deal. Both owner-occupiers and
tenants will be able to see the rewards of
a more energy efficient property. More
help will also be given to those who are
most in need such as those on low
incomes, vulnerable households and
those in ‘hard to heat’ homes.
How will it work?
Improvements to your property such as
loft and cavity wall insulation, underfloor
heating, heat pumps, draught proofing,
double glazing and boilers, could be
installed by an accredited provider at no
upfront cost. This will make expensive
home improvements affordable.
For you as the consumer, the first step will
be to get an independent and impartial on
-site assessment of your home. The
advisor will be able to identify where your
home is wasting energy and tell you what
steps you could take to reduce this waste.
They should also be able to tell you how
much you can expect to save by installing
each of these measures.
The next step will be to choose which
improvements you would like to be made.
There is a list of ‘Green Deal Approved’
companies who have been accredited and
you can work with them to agree the price
for the work but crucially, you do not have
to pay them for the work straight away.
How will it be paid for?
You can choose whether you would like to
pay for the work or whether you would
prefer to pay for it through your energy bill.
If you choose to pay through your energy
bill then the payments will be agreed right
at the start and if you choose to move
house then the payments stay with that
property and do not come with you.
The cost of installing these measures will
be paid over time through a charge on the
property’s energy bill. The repayments
must, however, obey the “Golden Rule”
whereby the charge itself can never be
more than the expected savings. This
means that you should save from day one
of the new measures being installed.
For Green Deal improvements, you can
11
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
expect the savings on your bills to pay for
all the work done and in addition, by
taking steps to reduce your energy
consumption you will be better protected
from any rises in energy prices.
Who will do the work?
Many organisations will bring the Green
Deal to your attention such as your local
Council, your landlord, local community
groups, local builders or by your energy
company themselves. If you would like to
take advantage of the Green Deal
scheme, you should contact one of these
groups and they will be able to advise you
further and put you in touch with an
accredited installer. It is only those
installers who have been accredited and
will carry a “quality mark” that will be able
to carry out work under the Green Deal.
Consumer protection will be at the heart
of the Green Deal and these will include
measures such as:
■
■
■
■
■
12
New accreditation and standards
arrangements for those authorised
under the Green Deal.
Stronger cold calling protections.
A robust standard of warranties.
The cross-selling of products only
when customers have agreed this in
advance.
Regulations so that assessors must
make their role clear and disclose
when they move from making an
impartial assessment to the stage of
making a sale.
Part of the Green Deal will be the Energy
Company Obligation (ECO) which will
require energy companies to provide more
funding for energy efficiency measures to
be installed in homes across the country.
This will be targeted at particularly
vulnerable and low income households
and those homes that are difficult to heat.
Money will be specifically set aside to
provide support with an estimated 2.8
million hard-to-treat cavity wall properties
being eligible under ECO.
will show your MCS compliance.
Then you should inform your chosen FIT
supplier that you wish to register for the
FIT scheme. You will also have to send
them a completed application form as
well as the MCS certificate and the Energy
Performance Certificate that proves your
home has an energy efficiency rating of
band D or better.
The Green Deal
The Green Deal came into effect from
October 2012.
The Green Deal is a new initiative which
will allow individuals and businesses to
install energy saving measures at no
upfront cost and will really help to improve
the energy efficiency of properties.
Millions of homes and businesses could
benefit from improvements under the
Green Deal. Both owner-occupiers and
tenants will be able to see the rewards of
a more energy efficient property. More
help will also be given to those who are
most in need such as those on low
incomes, vulnerable households and
those in ‘hard to heat’ homes.
How will it work?
Improvements to your property such as
loft and cavity wall insulation, underfloor
heating, heat pumps, draught proofing,
double glazing and boilers, could be
installed by an accredited provider at no
upfront cost. This will make expensive
home improvements affordable.
For you as the consumer, the first step will
be to get an independent and impartial on
-site assessment of your home. The
advisor will be able to identify where your
home is wasting energy and tell you what
steps you could take to reduce this waste.
They should also be able to tell you how
much you can expect to save by installing
each of these measures.
The next step will be to choose which
improvements you would like to be made.
There is a list of ‘Green Deal Approved’
companies who have been accredited and
you can work with them to agree the price
for the work but crucially, you do not have
to pay them for the work straight away.
How will it be paid for?
You can choose whether you would like to
pay for the work or whether you would
prefer to pay for it through your energy bill.
If you choose to pay through your energy
bill then the payments will be agreed right
at the start and if you choose to move
house then the payments stay with that
property and do not come with you.
The cost of installing these measures will
be paid over time through a charge on the
property’s energy bill. The repayments
must, however, obey the “Golden Rule”
whereby the charge itself can never be
more than the expected savings. This
means that you should save from day one
of the new measures being installed.
For Green Deal improvements, you can
11
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
How you currently heat your home will
determine which technologies you can
apply to be funded:
■
■
If you have recently removed a
mains gas heating system or
currently heat your home with mains
gas, you are only eligible to apply for
solar thermal.
If you currently rely on oil, liquid gas,
solid fuel or electricity then you could
also apply for air-to-water heat
pumps, ground-source or watersource heat pumps and biomass
boilers.
You must own the property in which you
wish to install the renewable technology
or, if you rent your home, you must have
permission from the landlord and be
purchasing the installation for yourself.
The property must have loft insulation to
250mm and also cavity wall insulation (if
this is possible in your property).
Feed-in-Tariffs (FITs)
Consumer Futures
Should you decide to install
microgeneration technology in your
property, you could apply for the Feed-inTariff scheme. The scheme is designed to
give you a minimum payment for the
electricity that is generated by the system
and additional payments for any surplus
electricity that is then transferred to the
national grid. These payments are in
addition to the savings that you would
make on your energy bills.
A statutory organisation representing
consumers. Consumer Futures can help
you by providing advice and information
regarding the energy market. They cannot,
however, discuss individual complaints
with members of the public..
The FIT scheme covers electricity that is
generated by the following means:
■
■
■
■
■
All the necessary planning and
environmental permissions must already
be in place and the product and installer
you choose must be certified under the
Microgeneration Certification Scheme
(MCS) or Solar Keymark.
How do I apply?
You can apply for the Renewable Heat
Premium Payment online through the
Energy Saving Trust’s website at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scheme/
view/rhpp. Alternatively, you can
telephone on 0300 123 1234.
10
Solar electricity (PV)
Wind turbine
Hydroelectricity
Anaerobic digestion (microorganisms
break down biodegradable material to
release energy)
Micro combined heat and power
(otherwise know as Micro-CHP,
although this is limited to a pilot at
this stage)
The tariffs vary depending upon when the
technology was installed and whether the
company installing the technology was
certified under the Microgeneration
Certification Scheme (MCS).
Registering for FITs
The easiest way to apply for the FIT
scheme is to first contact your installer.
They will then register you on the MCS
database and send you a certificate which
USEFUL CONTACTS
Age UK
www.consumerfutures.org.uk
DWP General Benefits Line
An independent charity, Age UK provides
information and advice for elderly people
about a wide range of issues and can
refer you to other organisations which
can provide more practical help.
Age UK Stourbridge
The Elton Centre at St. Johns
St. Johns Road
Stourbridge
DY8 1EJ
01384 390 065
www.ageuk.org.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)
www.adviceguide.org.uk for online
information.
CAB Dudley District
69 Market Street
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 1AQ
Monday 9.30am—12.30pm Wednesday—
Friday 9.30am - 14.30pm
The DWP Benefits Line is a free helpline
which can advise you on any benefits to
which you may be entitled. They can also
send you the necessary forms and help
you complete them so you can make a
claim.
0800 055 6688
Energy Ombudsman
Contact the Energy Ombudsman if you
have a problem or complaint that cannot
be resolved by your energy supplier.
In the first instance, you should always
contact your energy supplier. Only when
they have exhausted their complaints
procedures should you contact the
Ombudsman.
0330 440 1624 or 01925 530 263
www.ombudsman-services.org/
energy.html
13
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Energy Saving Trust
A national, non-profit, organisation
providing free and impartial information
and advice on how to improve energy
efficiency in your home. Linked to a
network of local advice centres.
0300 123 1234
enquiries@est-southwest.org.uk
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
Gas Safe Register
Gas Safe Register is the official body for
gas safety. They can provide you with
advice on gas appliances as well as
having a clear register of all reputable
companies involved in the field of
supplying gas.
0800 408 5500
www.gassaferegister.co.uk
Home Heat Helpline
A free helpline which can provide
practical advice for people worried about
their fuel bills. This line can also give
advice to low-income households in
urgent need of help and advice.
Open from 9am-8pm Monday to Friday
and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.
0800 336 699
www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
Jobcentre Plus Benefits
As this scheme is already up and running
and as there is limited discretionary
funding for the ‘broader group’, it is
absolutely vital to apply to your energy
supplier as soon as possible. They will
also be able to tell you whether you are
eligible to receive support.
The energy companies that are
participating in the Warm Homes Discount
scheme are as follows:
Jobcentre Plus can provide you with a
wide range of information and services
on issues such as which benefits, loans
or grants that you may be entitled to.
Atlantic Energy and Gas
British Gas
0800 055 6688
www.gov.uk/contact-jobcentre-plus
E.ON
Equipower
EDF Energy
Equigas
Ofgem
First Utility
Manweb
Ofgem is the government regulator for
the gas and electricity markets. Its
purpose is to protect consumers and
does offer consumer advice on its
website.
M&S Energy
www.ofgem.gov.uk
Pensions Advisory Service
ScottishPower
An advice helpline that can provide
elderly people with advice on benefits to
which they may be entitled.
0845 601 2923
www.pensionsadvisoryservice.org.uk
Npower
Surviving Winter Fund
Renewable Energy
Renewable energy technologies take
natural resources and use them to
provide free electricity and heating rather
than relying on fossil fuels. This can help
to drive down the cost of energy as well as
reducing carbon emissions.
There are a variety of renewable energy
technologies which are available for
homeowners to install which include:
■
■
■
■
■
Solar Photovoltaics (PV)
Solar Thermal Water Heating
Heat Pumps
Wood Fuels
Wind Energy
There are also a range of incentives that
have been provided by the Government to
help fund these installations which are
detailed below.
Sainsbury’s Energy
Scottish Gas
Scottish Hydro
Southern Electric
SSE
Swalec
The Renewable Heat Premium
Payment
The Renewable Heat Premium Payment is
a Government scheme that is designed to
help you to afford the renewable
technology that you may need for your
home. These may include:
Utility Warehouse
■
■
■
Solar thermal panels
Heat pumps
Biomass boilers
Who can apply?
14
9
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Do I need to claim?
■
You need to claim Winter Fuel Payment if
you have not had it before and either of
the following apply:
■
■
■
You do not get benefits or the State
Pension.
You only get Housing Benefit, Council
Tax Reduction, or Child Benefit.
Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount is a four year
scheme which will run from April 2011 to
March 2015 and is designed to help lowincome and vulnerable households with
their energy bills.
The Government informs energy
suppliers of households which are
eligible for the Warm Home Discount and
the energy company then gives those
households a rebate on their electricity
bills. Older people will be considered as
part of a ‘core group’ and will be
guaranteed the rebate, which for this
winter amounts to £135, provided that
on 20th July 2013 they were either:
■
■
75 or over and getting the Guarantee
Credit element of Pension Credit
(even if you get Savings Credit).
Under 75 and only getting the
Guarantee Credit element of Pension
Credit (you will not qualify if you also
get Savings Credit).
And all of the following apply:
8
Their electricity supplier is
participating in the scheme.
Their or their partner’s name is on
their electricity bill.
If you do qualify for the ‘core group’, a
confirmation letter will be sent to you in
the autumn from the Government and
you will receive your rebate
automatically.
There may be instances, however, when
a rebate cannot be made automatically
but if this is the case, you will receive a
letter asking for you to supply further
information.
It is not just the elderly who can qualify
but other vulnerable households too.
Those on low-incomes or those with longterm illnesses or disabilities may also be
eligible. Electricity suppliers that are
participating in the scheme have been
requested to set aside a certain amount
which will be used to support these
households which is known as the
‘broader group’.
The Warm Home Discount is expected to
help approximately two million
households by 2014 and will be worth up
to £1.1 billion compared to the previous
‘social tariff’ scheme which was worth
only £375 million. Some energy
companies that are participating will be
able to offer more help than others. EDF
Energy, for instance, estimates that
between 40,000-45,000 customers will
benefit from the Warm Home Discount
scheme.
Winter Fuel Payment
A form of financial help from the
Government for elderly people. For
information and application forms to
claim the payment, please contact:
Moneysupermarket.com
www.moneysupermarket.com/gas-andelectricity
0845 345 1296
08459 151 515
www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment
PRICE COMPARISON SITES
ACCREDITED BY CONSUMER
FUTURES
switchgasandelectric.com
www.switchgasandelectric.com
TheEnergyShop.com
www.theenergyshop.com
0845 330 7247
Energy Helpline
www.energyhelpline.com
0800 074 0745
Which? Switch
www.which.co.uk/switch
01992 822867
SimplySwitch
www.simplyswitch.com
08000 111 395
Unravelit
www.unravelit.com/utilities.php
0800 862 0021
UK Power
www.ukpower.co.uk
0800 093 2447
Uswitch
www.uswitch.com/gas-electricity
0800 404 7908
myutiltygenius.co.uk
myutiltygenius.co.uk
www.energylinx.co.uk
www.energylinx.co.uk
15
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
GREEN DEAL PROVIDERS
CONTACT MEMBERS
1North Ltd
WHAT HELP IS THERE?
or Jobcentre Plus.
(FROM OCTOBER 2013)
www.1north.co.uk
0800 043 0365
Cold Weather Payments
Winter Fuel Payments
This is a payment that is made to help you
with the cost of heating during the winter
months depending on if you are already in
receipt of other benefits.
Winter Fuel Payments are yearly one-off
payments that also help people to pay for
their heating bills during winter. They are
paid to men and women who have
reached the minimum age at which they
can receive their State Pension. The
amount that is paid is dependent upon
your circumstances when you apply, but it
could be between £100 and £300.
Solar Air (UK) Limited
Keepmoat Limited
www.solarairuk.com
01227 265 871
www.keepmoat.com
01302 346 620
letsgogreendeal.com
Your Green Deal Provider Limited
www.letsgogreendeal.com
0800 025 7223
www.yourgdp.com
01482 881 241
Energy Performance Direct Ltd
PGL Training
www.energyperformancedirect.co.uk
01392 435 052
www.pgltraining.com
01392 437 373
Green Deal Atlantic Ltd
Ellipse Energy Limited
www.greendealatlantic.com
0163 787 3041
www.ellipseenergy.co.uk
01509 410 377
SIG Energy Management Ltd
Capita Business Systems
www.sigenergy.co.uk
0800 564 456
You may be entitled to Cold Weather
Payments if you receive:
■
■
■
■
■
You do not need to apply for Cold Weather
Payments as they will be automatically
paid into the same bank account as your
other benefit payments.
A payment of £25 is made for each seven
day period of cold weather between the
1st November and the 31st March.
Payments will be made when the local
temperature is either:
■
www.capita.co.uk
■
Energy Basics Limited
Home Survey Reports Ltd.
www.energybasics.co.uk
03302 230 020
www.homesurveyreports.co.uk
0161 764 8780
16
Pension Credit.
Income Support.
Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Income-related Employment and
Support Allowance (ESA).
Universal Credit.
Recorded as an average of zero
degrees Celsius or below over seven
consecutive days.
Forecast to be an average of zero
degrees Celsius or below over seven
consecutive days.
How to claim
Once you have reached the qualifying age
(if you were born on or before the 5th July
1952) or if you are receiving certain
benefits, you should automatically be sent
a claim form in the post.
If you do not receive the claim form, you
can request a copy of the form to be sent
to you in the post by calling 0845 915
1515 or you can download the form by
visiting www.gov.uk and searching for
‘Winter Fuel Payment’.
The form then needs to be returned to the
following address:
Winter Fuel Payment Centre
Department for Work and Pensions
PO Box 22
Gateshead
NE92 1BX
If you do not receive a Cold Weather
Payment when you are entitled, you
should contact either your pension centre
7
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Register. This would enable you to get
help with annual gas safety checks, meter
readings, priority treatment in an
emergency and most importantly means
that you cannot have your utilities
disconnected during the winter.
Energy companies also offer other forms
of assistance to their customers. If you
are having trouble paying your bills or are
worried about the cost of energy this
winter, you should get in touch with your
energy supplier as soon as possible to see
what is on offer. Examples include:
EDF Energy Trust Fund
EDF Energy has created the EDF Energy
Trust Fund which is designed to award
grants to their customers to:
■
■
■
Help to clear domestic gas and
electricity debts.
Clear other priority debts (also known
as Further Assistance Payments).
Purchase essential household items.
For more information and details on how
to apply, visit www.edfenergytrust.org.uk
The British Gas Energy Trust
The British Gas Energy Trust is a
registered charity designed to offer
assistance to those customers who have
difficulty in paying their utility bills.
Individuals and families who require help
can apply to have their gas and electricity
debts cleared, and other priority debts can
6
be paid off in exceptional circumstances.
This help would be provided in the form of
grants which would not have to be repaid.
You can apply by completing an online
form at
www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk but
also by requesting a form through the post
by telephoning 01733 421 060.
Further Assistance Payments
Further Assistance Payments can be
made available for household items such
as cookers, washing machines or
refrigerators when they break down and
need to be replaced but there must be an
urgent need for such financial assistance.
A letter would need to be provided from
an appropriate professional indicating
that there was an urgent and special need
for the item to be replaced. For example,
this professional could be a health worker
or social worker.
These payments can also be made
available for such things as replacing or
repairing a boiler. Exceptional
circumstances would have to be proved
and supporting letters from appropriate
professionals would also need to confirm
the requirement for such a payment. In
addition, quotes for the work would have
to be provided before any award was
made.
To obtain an application form, please
contact 01733 421 021 or email
admin@charisgrants.com. Alternatively,
you can complete the form online at
www.charisgrants.com.
Green Vision Limited
www.greevisionenergy.co.uk
0115 854 7498
www.ideaenergysurveys.co.uk
01325 352 221
Infinity Energy Organisation Limited
Anesco Limited
www.anesco.co.uk
01189 702 595
www.infinityenergyorganisation.com
02036 384 030
MEB Total Ltd
Darren Evans Assessments Limited
www.darren-evans.co.uk
01454 317 940
www.mebtotal.co.uk
08452 263 233
Energy Solutions Ltd
EAS - Energy Assessors Services
Limited
www.enchanceenergy.co. uk
01792 650 001
www.e-a-s.co.uk
0800 756 6831
Go-Green Energy (Group) Ltd
Volta Solar Ltd
www.go-greenenergy.co.uk
0800 043 0191
www.voltagreendeal.co.uk
01614 255144
Inteb Sustainability Limited
Ampere GDP Ltd
www.inteb.co.uk
01995 642 271
www.Ampere-GDP.com
01271 323 052
Carillion Energy Services Ltd
www.carillionenergy.co.uk
0800 917 5772
Idea Energy Surveys Ltd
Volta Solar Ltd
17
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
www.voltagreendeal.co.uk
01614 255 144
www.britishgas.co.uk/greendeal
0800 107 2750
Low Carbon Exchange Ltd
Energy Trust
www.lowcarbonexchange.com
01173 591 410
www.energy-trust.co.uk
0845 680 6780
Climate Energy Limited
Low Carbon Finance Ltd
www.climateenergy.org.uk
0800 0352 327
www.lcfgd.com
01254 608 561
Network Green Deal Limited
Michael Dyson Associates Limited
www.greendealnet.co.uk
01572 725 530
www.mdyson.co.uk
01484 666 888
Green Deal Union Ltd
1 Green Place
www.greendealunion.com
0800 046 9190
www.thegreendeal.co.uk
0845 626 2255
The Green Deal Wales.com
Intellygen Energy Audits
www.thegreendealwales.com
0800 810 1060
www.intellygen.com
0121 288 1494
We Greenerise Ltd
Tameside Energy Services Ltd
www.we-greenerise.com
0800 779 7002
British Gas Trading Limited
www.tamesideenergyservices.co.uk
0800 093 0998
Green Deal Assessors Ltd
18
Generate your own Power
YOUR ENERGY SUPPLIER
If you have the funds available, you could
install your own microgeneration units
such as solar photovoltaics (PV) for
electricity and ground source heat pumps
for heat. Government schemes such as
the Feed-in-Tariff (FIT) can offer you an
income from the electricity that you
generate and the Renewable Heat
Premium Payment (RHPP) can help you to
cover the upfront cost of installing green
heating systems.
You could save money by switching to
another energy supplier that is best suited
to your needs. In order to get advice on
which supplier and price plan would be
best for you, you can contact the Citizens
Advice Consumer Service which offers
free and impartial advice as well as
information on how to choose and change
energy suppliers.
Take a Home Energy Check
The Energy Saving Trust has an online
home energy check which you can find at
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk or by
calling 0300 123 1234. You can complete
an online questionnaire which will give you
specific advice on how you can improve
your home’s energy efficiency. The Energy
Saving Trust can give you free and
impartial advice on how to make your
home more energy efficient and tell you
about financial grants that may be
available.
Consumer Futures also has details of
price comparison websites. The contact
details for Consumer Futures and
accredited comparison websites can be
found at the end of this guide.
Switching Made Easy
A range of measures are being taken to
make it easier to switch suppliers. The
time that it takes to change energy
supplier is limited to three weeks so as to
speed up the process for consumers and
so that they can start to benefit from
reduced bills a lot sooner.
The Government is simplifying the entire
process and making information on tariffs
and price plans more accessible and far
easier to understand. From 2014 energy
suppliers will be obliged to place customers
on the cheapest tariff and thus save money
on their bills.
In addition, if you are disabled, have a
long-term illness or are over the pension
age, you can ask your energy supplier
about registering for the Priority Service
5
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
HOW TO MAKE YOUR HOME
MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT
and kettles, as well as heating and lighting
products will have this logo prominently
displayed.
www.greendealassessors.biz
0800 599 9110
www.quodox.co.uk
0208 908 5141
Green Deal Savings Ltd
Eco Deal Ltd
www.greendealsavingsltd.co.uk
0845 835 0606
www.eco-deal.co.uk
01706 625 375
AAA Green Deal Assessors Ltd
Green4Homes Ltd
www.aaagreendealassessors.co.uk
01639 897 401
www.greendeal4homes.com
0208 835 7076
digitalenergy Ltd
Solarwise Renewables Limited
www.digitalenergy.org.uk
0845 003 9087
01443 492 532
Cavity Wall Insulation
Check your Boiler
Approximately one third of heat lost in an
uninsulated home is through the walls.
Insulating your walls is a very cost
effective way of saving money and energy
in your home. If your home was built
between the 1920s and the 1990s then
insulating your walls could save you £110
on your annual heating bills. Not all
homes can be insulated in this way, so if
your home is a solid wall construction or
was built before the 1920s, you may wish
to consider installing internal or external
wall insulation which could save you £375
each year.
Loft Insulation
An uninsulated loft can result in you losing
15% of the heating that you pay for.
Insulating your loft with 270mm of
insulation could save you up to £145
each year. Some energy companies offer
free cavity wall and loft insulation but only
some customers may be eligible.
Look for the Energy
Saving Trust Logo
If your boiler is over 15 years old then it
could be time to replace it with a new
energy efficient one. Replacing an old
boiler with an A-rated condensing model
with a full set of heating controls could
save you a quarter of your annual heating
bill immediately, which is £235 on
average for a gas heated home.
Insulate your Hot Water Tank
An insulating jacket for a hot water tank
does not cost very much and very soon
pays for itself. Fitting a jacket that is
75mm or three inches thick will save
about £35 each year.
Close your Curtains
As the days grow shorter as winter
approaches, closing your curtains at dusk
helps to stop heat escaping through
windows. This is a simple and free way of
reducing wasted energy and your
energy bills.
Energy Efficient Light Bulbs
When buying new
electrical products, look
for the Energy Saving
Trust logo which is a
quick and simple way of finding the most
energy efficient products. Electrical
appliances such as televisions, computers
4
InstaGroup Limited
Northgate Information Solutions
www.northgate-energy.com
0845 217 9778
www.instagroup.co.uk/greendeal
0800 051 7420
Eco Advisory Ltd
Enhance Energy Solutions Ltd
www.enhanceenergy.co.uk
01792 650 001
www.ecoadvisory.co.uk
01482 772 518
Toriga Energy Limited
Energy saving bulbs last up to 10 times as
long as regular bulbs and if you replace all
your light bulbs with energy efficient ones,
you could save up to £45 each year and
£670 over the lifetime of all the bulbs.
Vibrant Energy Matters Ltd
www.vibrantenergymatters.co.uk
0845 0945 192
Quodox Energy Ltd
www.toriga-energy.com
08456 806 556
Eulinx Energy Services
19
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
01538 788 083
www.beexpress.co.uk/greendeal
0208 454 7375
CV Energy Ltd.
www.cvenergy.co.uk
01926 857 894
Green Deal Advisor Association
www.GDAA.org.uk
01572 725 533
GHE Solar Limited
www.ghesolar.co.uk
01635 202 612
CarbonLow Real Estate Limited
www.carbonlowgreendeal.co.uk
08456 346 071 / 01246 452 982
Osborne Energy Limited
www.osborneenergy.co.uk
01424 436 793
Eco Technical Services (UK) Ltd
www.ecotechnicals.co.uk
0844 504 0250
BeExpress Energy Advisors
20
WANT TO KNOW HOW YOU
CAN SAVE MONEY?
Worried about how to pay for your energy
use? Concerned about rising energy bills?
If so then this guide can help. There is
lots of help already out there but it can
sometimes be hard to find and difficult to
know who to turn to.
This guide is designed to help you to
make your home more energy efficient
and make you aware of what support is
now available.
There is advice on how to get the best
deal from your energy supplier and details
about schemes such as the Government’s
Green Deal which can enable you to
install energy saving measures at no
upfront cost.
Included is also a range of financial
assistance to which you may be entitled.
The Pensions Service has a helpline
(08456 060 265) dedicated to helping
elderly people get the financial support
that they need and can help you to make
an application.
At the end is a list of various organisations
that can offer advice and support to you
and answer any of your questions.
Now is the time to start thinking about
how you can stay warm and save money
this winter.
Margot James MP
3
HOW TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR ENERGY BILLS
Margot James MP
15-17 Lawn Avenue
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 3UR
01384 370574
E-mail:
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
Website: www.margotjames.com
Twitter: @MargotJamesMP
Margot holds regular advice surgeries across the area, giving you the opportunity to
raise issues or problems in person. Please contact Margot’s office to make an
appointment.
Margot is always happy to try and help with any concerns or problems you may
have, so if you think we can assist, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Margot James MP
Member of Parliament for Stourbridge
15-17 Lawn Avenue
Stourbridge
West Midlands
DY8 3UR
01384 370 574
This help guide has been prepared with great care. The publisher is not, however,
liable for correctness, completeness and up-to-dateness of the contents. If you wish to
make a correction, update or addition, please contact:
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
2
margot.james.mp@parliament.uk
www.margotjames.com
Twitter: @MargotJamesMP
21