Have you taken the Four Steps to Affordable Warmth?
This month Jim is challenging his constituents to take four simple steps to help them save money when heating their homes.
Jim says, ‘I know many households struggle to cope with rising energy costs and so I support this Campaign for Warmer Homes to get advice and information out to my constituents to help cut their bill and make their homes energy efficient.’
Follow these four steps to more affordable warm:
1. Get Advice
With the rising costs of energy, many more people will be anxious about their fuel bills. Keeping yourself and your family warm is not always easy.
To get advice tailored for you and your household, call the Home Heat Helpline on: 0800 33 66 99 for access to free home insulation and other help to reduce bills.
2. Maximise your income and check your benefit entitlements
Low household income is often a reason people find it difficult to heat their homes adequately.
However, it may be that as a pensioner or a lower income household you are entitled to some assistance for fuel costs or fuel related problems.
To ensure you are receiving the benefits you are entitled to, contact your local office of the Pension Service or JobCentrePlus or any of the organisations listed below.
Organisation | Contact Number |
Pension Service | 0800 99 1234 |
Job Centre Plus | 0845 6060 234 |
Citizens Advice Bureau | 08444 111 444 |
Money Trust Advice | 020 7489 7796 |
3. Tackling poor heating and insulation
Taking advantage of local and national insulation schemes is one of the most cost-effective ways of keeping your home warm and lowering your bills.
Contact your own energy supplier who should tell you what support is available. Extra assistance is available for lower-income households, those in receipt of some benefits and pensioners over the age of 70.
To find out if you are eligible for a heating or insulation grant from Warm Front call 0800 316 2805
4. Get the best deal from your supplier
Making sure you are on the most competitive energy deal could save you up to £200 on your annual energy bill, particularly if you have never changed Energy Company.
Contact your energy supplier on the phone numbers below to ask them for the cheapest deal available for your household.
Energy Supplier | Contact number |
British Gas | 0800 072 7100 |
EDF Energy | 0800 269 450 |
RWE npower | 0800 975 1373 |
E.ON | 0845 300 4382 |
ScottishPower | 0845 2700 700 |
Scottish & Southern Energy | 0800 622 838 |
Alternatively, visit an accredited switching website (look for Consumer Focus’ confidence code to guarantee you get independent, accurate and up-to-date information) or phoneline to help you find the best deal.