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Help to support you through the winter
Worried about the rising costs of energy? We know that people are going through difficult times right now so we have put key information below to provide some help this winter.
Energy bill discount
To help with the rising cost of living, the government is giving you a £400 non-repayable discount on your energy bill.
Key facts
- £400 discount on your energy bill
- All UK households with an electricity connection in England, Scotland and Wales are eligible for the discount
- You don’t need to do anything; it is an automatic, non-repayable discount
- It will be paid in six monthly instalments from October 2022 to March 2023 to help households through winter
- There is no need to apply and you will not be asked for your bank details
How will I get the discount?
Make sure your energy supplier has your up-to-date contact details.
If you have a smart prepayment meter:
- Your discount will be credited directly to your smart prepayment meter in the first week of each month
If you have a traditional prepayment meter:
You’ll get the discount automatically from the first week of each month in one of the following ways, as:
- Redeemable vouchers, sent by SMS text, email or post
- An automatic credit when you top up at your usual top up point
For more information visit the gov.uk website.
Energy Price Guarantee. What is it and how will it affect me?
The government has announced a new ‘Energy Price Guarantee’ to support people with the rising cost of energy.
Key facts
- It will start on 1st October and last for 2 years
- You don’t need to do anything; it is automatic and applies to all households in Great Britain
- Energy prices are still increasing in October but by less than we expected due to the Energy Price Guarantee
- As an example, the average household will now spend £2,500 a year on their energy, compared to £1,971 a year before.. Without the Energy Price Guarantee, this would have been £3,549 a year. So, the Energy Price Guarantee will save the average household at least £1,000 a year
- Your exact bill will depend on how much energy you use
- There is no maximum energy bill, instead there is a maximum price per unit of gas and electricity that suppliers can charge so if you use more you will pay more; if you use less you will pay less
- For prepayment meter customers, the Energy Price Guarantee will be applied to the rate you pay for each unit of energy, so the money you put on the meter will last longer than would otherwise have been the case this winter
For more information visit the gov.uk website.
Stay Safe: Carbon Monoxide awareness
If you use gas in your home, you need to be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and know how to keep safe.
If appliances aren’t serviced, fitted or used properly they can cause gas leaks, fires, explosions and carbon monoxide poisoning.
By gas leaks, this generally means leaks in the supply of gas to your heating/cooking appliances before the gas is burned. Carbon monoxide (CO) is a product of combustion so produced when gas or other carbon-based fuel (wood, coal, gas etc.) is burned. CO cannot be sensed using human senses and can kill or harm in tiny amounts.
How to prevent carbon monoxide in your home
- Install all cooking and heating appliances correctly according to manufacturer’s instructions using properly qualified people. With gas they must be Gas Safe Registered and qualified to work on your type of appliance
- Maintain and service your appliances regularly according to manufacturer’s instructions using qualified people. Usually this means at least once a year.
- Use all appliances correctly, for example don’t ever use barbeques indoors.
- Have chimneys and flues swept and checked by a sweep belonging to a recognised trade organisation.
- Ensure adequate ventilation. Don’t block grilles which were put in to ventilate a fire etc.
- As an extra safeguard buy and fit a CO alarm to BS EN 50291 from a reputable supplier, such as a DIY shop or supermarket. Do not buy from the Internet.
For more information on how to keep you and your family safe please visit independent, registered charity Carbon Monoxide and Gas Safety Society website.
If you think a gas appliance is leaking carbon monoxide, call the free National Gas Helpline immediately on 0800 111 999.The service is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
