What To Do If You Need Help With Energy Bills
During times of high energy costs, worries about paying our energy bills and a volatile market are only natural. And while energy costs may seem like they are very slowly subsiding, it still remains in the back of many peoples minds that the market can quickly change.
If you find you are struggling to pay your energy bills, it’s important to know you’re not alone and that there is help available. In this blog, we detail what to do if you need help with energy bills, exploring what help is available to households, along with how changes and improvements to your property could make a big difference to your energy usage, ultimately helping to reduce your energy bills.
Speak to your energy supplier
According to Citizen’s Advice, over 5 million people are in debt to their energy supplier and 800,000 people went without gas or electricity for more than 24 hours in 2023 because they couldn’t afford to top up their prepayment meter. If you’re one of these people, one of the first things you should do if you need help with energy bills is to speak to your energy supplier.
According to Ofgem’s rules, all energy suppliers must be able to support their customers in difficult financial situations. From offering payment plans to providing advice on how to use less energy, they should be your first port of call when it comes to managing your household bills. While it may feel like they are not on your side, they have a duty to provide you with the support you need.
Check if you qualify for government help with energy bills
Checking if you qualify for government help with energy bills is another key thing to check. There is a wide range of support available out there for those who are struggling to pay their energy bills, especially during the winter months.
For example, Cold Weather Payments are offered to those in receipt of certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. This is aimed at particular areas in the country where temperatures are expected to dip to zero degrees or below for longer than 7 consecutive days. Currently, the Cold Weather Payment scheme is available to those eligible between 1st November 2024 and 31st March 2025.
As well as this, the Warm Home Discount Scheme reopened back in October 2024 for eligible households, where you could receive a one-off £150 discount off your electricity bill. In most cases, the discount will be automatically applied to your electricity bill if you’re eligible, so you don’t need to do anything to access this support.
You could also be eligible for extra funding from your local council. Aimed at the most vulnerable households and those in the most need of support, the Household Support Fund gives local councils extra cash to support eligible households with small grants to help with energy bills, other utilities, and housing and food costs. Your local council will decide who is eligible so it’s wise to contact your council to find out more.
It’s important to remember that such government help with energy bills are temporary resolutions for households that require long-term support. Making bigger changes and upgrades to your property could help save the issue of high energy bills.
Check if you’re eligible for energy efficiency schemes
As well as checking if you’re eligible for government help with energy bills, it’s also worth checking if you’re eligible for any government energy efficiency schemes as these can help you access funding to make improvements to your property.
The most notable is the ECO4 scheme which was set up by the government to offer low-income households the funding they need to make home upgrades that will not only improve the energy efficiency of their home, but also help lower household energy bills.
By installing upgrades such as new insulation, a new boiler, first time central heating, or solar panels, a household will benefit from lower energy consumption, lower energy bills, and a more comfortable living environment in the coldest months of the year.
At Eco Providers, we’re government-backed and Trustmark-registered to deliver tailored heating and insulation upgrades that not only help reduce your energy bills, but lower your carbon emissions. Find out if you are eligible for the ECO4 scheme by using our helpful online application tool.
What if I’m a private renter and I need help with energy bills?
According to an English Housing Survey by the UK government, just over 4.4 million households live in the private rented sector. For those who privately rent, it may seem even more complicated to do anything if you need help with energy bills.
While some are fortunate enough to live in new buildings that are energy efficient, a large percentage of the private rented sector is made up of old housing stock. This poses issues for residents who have a hard turn to avoid draughts, mould, and poor insulation. However, there is hope for both landlords and private tenants.
The ECO4 funding is not just for homeowners or social tenants, it’s also available for landlords and private tenants. Tenants living in privately rented accommodation can apply for the scheme in place of their landlord, or alternatively, the landlord can apply.
As long as criteria is met, the funding can be made available to make property upgrades in order to improve the energy efficiency of the property and make energy bills more affordable and easier for those living in the property. Not only is this beneficial for the tenants, but the landlord too, as the property value will benefit from these upgrades and the EPC rating will improve.
Find out more about the ECO4 scheme
It’s important to remember that if you need help with energy bills, there is support available. We hope we’ve given you more insight into what you should do if you need help. Speaking to your energy suppliers and checking if you’re eligible for government help with energy bills are great if you’re looking for short-term solutions.
For a long-term resolution, we recommend looking at making bigger, more impactful changes to your property’s energy efficiency as this will help you manage your energy usage and reduce your energy bills in the long run. If you’d like to find out more about the ECO4 scheme, or any other government incentive that may be available to you, don’t hesitate to contact us today where we can provide you with more expert advice and guidance.
FAQs about managing energy bills
What small changes can I do to help reduce my energy bill?
There are plenty of small changes you can make to help lower your energy bills and these include adopting energy-efficient habits. For example using LED light bulbs, unplugging devices when not in use, and optimising your heating or cooling settings. Smart devices like programmable thermostats can also help you manage your usage.
What should I do if I can’t afford my energy bill?
As mentioned, if you’re struggling to pay your energy bill, the first thing you should do is contact your energy supplier as soon as you can. They may be able offer payment plans and they can advise you on ways to reduce your energy usage. Government programs and local charities may also be able to provide financial assistance if you need it.
How do smart meters help with energy bills?
Smart meters provide real-time data on your energy usage, helping you identify areas to cut back on. They also send automatic readings to your supplier, which ensures accurate billing and eliminates estimated charges.