• Energy Saving & Advice from CAB

    Although the days are brightening up and the worst of winter is, hopefully, behind us our Parish Clerk has completed training with Norfolk Citizen’s Advice Bureau to provide some guidance and links to help cut back on energy bills.

    You can visit CAB for online advice here  Your energy supply – Citizens Advice

    Their presentation can be accessed here, CAB Energy Saving Presentation or if you are unable to run this, the highlights follow below:

    “Global prices for fossil fuels, especially gas, are rising at an unprecedented rate, not helped by the situation in Ukraine/Russia currently.  

    From 1st April, the energy price cap (EPC) will rise from £1,277 to £1,971  – an almost £700 increase in energy bills for the average household.  The EPC is a backstop protection from the Government, calculated by OFGEM.  It applies if you are on a default tariff (NOT a fixed term tariff or standard variable green energy tariff that has been exempted from this cap).   If your fixed term tariff ends, you are likely to find even higher increases.   This doesn’t impact on customers on a fixed tariff, but renewing a fixed tariff will increase similarly.  

    The Government’s Energy Bill Rebate (EBR) of £200 in Autumn 2022 must be repaid over 5 years starting in 2023.  It is NOT paid to a specific person, but by bill and you cannot opt out.  

    Going Bust?

    If your energy supplier goes bust, you will still have gas/electricity – take action by doing the following: 

    • Take meter readings
    • Take a photo/screen shot of any credit due on your account
    • WAIT…. don’t switch tariff or supplier until your account is moved to another supplier by OFGEM.  If you move, it may be harder to get back any money owed to you.
    • If your account is in credit, your money is protected (unless you’re a small business customer) – your new supplier will contact you to tell you how you can be paid back.

    Tariffs & Switching

    Use the Citizen’s Advice Compare Energy page for an impartial price and tariff comparison service and more advice on what to look for before switching:  Switch energy supplier – Citizens Advice

    You can switch with UP TO £500 DEBT with your supplier on each fuel.  

    Feeling the Pinch?

    You may be eligible for help from the Norfolk Assistance Scheme Norfolk Assistance Scheme (NAS) – Norfolk County Council, if you have a pre-payment meter and are in hardship, there are some schemes which can apply to and grants which could help: 

    British Gas Energy Trust

    Scottish Power Hardship Fund

    Ovo Energy Fund

    E.ON Energy Fund

    E.ON Next Energy Fund

    EDF Energy Customer Support Fund

    Octopus – Octo Assist Fund

    If you can’t get a grant from your supplier,

    check if you can get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. These grants are available to anyone – you don’t have to be a British Gas customer.

    If you are struggling to pay, although it is hard, please contact your supplier – they have a legal obligation to try to help you and negotiate a deal which works for both of you.  

    If you are on a low income or get Guaranteed Pension Credit, you may be eligible for the Warm Homes Discount Scheme.  £140 is paid off your bill or via voucher if you have a pre-payment meter.  Warm Home Discount Scheme – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

    Check to see if your supplier is signed up to the Warm Home Discount Scheme via the Government website, if the scheme is closed for 2021/2022, it will soon open for 2022/23 and it is worth contacting your supplier to register interest.  

    Priority Services Register

    If you find it hard to manage your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies – for example, large print bills, nominating someone else to deal with your supplier or more support during a power cut.

    You can join the Priority Services Register if you:

    • are of pensionable age
    • are disabled or chronically sick
    • have a long-term medical condition
    • have a hearing or visual impairment
    • have additional communication needs
    • are in a vulnerable situation

    The Priority Services Register can help in the following ways:

    • Priority support in an emergency. Could provide heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off supply.
    • Identification and password scheme. This could include arranging a password or agreed on picture cards if callers need to visit or contact you. This way you can feel confident they are genuine.
    • Nominee scheme. You can nominate someone to receive communications and bills from your supplier. For example, a family member, carer or someone you trust.
    • Help with prepayment meter access. For example, moving a meter if you can’t safely get to it to top up.
    • Regular meter reading services. For example, if nobody can read your meter.
    • Accessible information. For example, account info and bills in large print or braille.
    • Suppliers and  could offer other support services. Ask them how they can help you.
    • Advance notice of planned power cuts. If you rely on your energy supply for medical reasons your network operator can tell you about planned power cuts. For example, when they plan engineering work.

    Smart Meters

    Smart meters can help monitor usage and keep track of costs to avoid shock bills.  You do not need to pay for a smart meter to be installed by your energy provider and meter readings are sent automatically which can help if you have problems accessing your meter.  Contact your supplier to discuss installation.  

    Home Improvements

    Norfolk Warm Homes

    This scheme is operated by Norfolk County Council and can help with grants for energy efficiency improvements to properties:

    • Home-owners – help with up to £10,000 of energy efficiency improvements for families with household income under £30,000
    • Landlords – can receive a two thirds subsidy of up to £5000.
    • They won’t fund gas boilers (as fossil fuel – not renewable energy)
    • Can help with first time central heating grants, insulation and possibly air source heat pumps if the home is suitable.
    • If you are in social housing then your landlord (council or housing association) are responsible for energy efficiency improvements. If you are making requests to your landlord it will help if you reference your EPC.

    Energy Company Obligation — Simple Energy Advice

    The Energy Company Obligation is offering grants for efficient boilers and wall and cavity insulation to people on low incomes or receiving certain benefits.  Click on the link above to see if you can apply. 

    Energy Efficiency

    You might be able to save money by making your home more energy efficient – for example by:

    • using your central heating effectively (check the manual)
    • keeping your home warm for longer
    • making changes so you use less electricity and gas

    Make improvements to your home

    • You might be able to reduce your bills, for example by adding insulation or installing a better heating system.
    • You might be able to get a home energy grant to help pay for the improvements.
    • Find the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your property https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

    Tips for saving energy…

    • Set heating and hot water to run only when it’s needed – for example, from 30 minutes before getting up in the morning to 30 minutes before leaving the house.
    • Set thermostats on hot water tanks to 60ºC or 140ºF – the thermostat is about a quarter to a third of the way up a hot water cylinder.
    • Close curtains – do this at dusk to stop heat escaping through the windows.
    • Block draughts using simple DIY materials – check for draughts around windows and doors that let cold air in and warm air out. About 25% of heat is lost through windows and doors.
    • Turn lights off when leaving a room and don’t leave appliances on standby – also remember not to leave laptops and mobile phones to charge unnecessarily.
    • Fill up the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher – one full load uses less energy than two half loads.
    • Don’t fill up the kettle – only boil as much water as you need.
    • Fix leaking taps and make sure they’re fully turned off – a dripping hot water tap can waste enough energy in a single week to half fill a bath with hot water.
    • Be careful of electric showers and other electric water heaters – these tend to use more energy.
    • LED lightbulbs – when you need to replace your lightbulbs switch to LEDs

    Further Help

    CAB offer one-to-one energy advice, please email or ring the following to book:

    [email protected]

    Tel 0800 144 8848

    British Red Cross Support at Home Services can help with form filling and Emergency Response may be able to help with actioning some of the energy saving tips, your Parish Clerk is currently liaising with them to discuss this offer of support.  In the meantime, you can contact your local Red Cross Support at Home service via 01603 288320 and leave a message.

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