Managing your energy bills - Independent Age

You may be concerned about your energy bills going up. There are things you can do to reduce the costs, and help available if you’re struggling to pay your energy bill.

Cost of living announcement

To help with the rising cost of living, the government has announced an update to the Energy Bills Support Scheme. All households with a domestic electricity connection will get a one-off £400 payment from October. This replaces the £200 loan announced in March. 

The payment is a grant, which you won't have to pay back. 

If you are a direct debit or credit customer, your energy supplier will add this payment to your meter. If you have a pre-payment meter, your energy supplier will add the money to your meter or give you a voucher. 

For more information, contact your energy supplier. 

Should I switch energy supplier?

Please note:

The energy market is currently going through a turbulent time. Because many energy companies are struggling, you won't find as many tariffs as normal. If you don’t find a better tariff than the one you’re on, it’s probably better to wait until deals are available again.

Help with your energy bill

Energy Bill discount scheme

In Autumn 2022, all households will get a £200 discount on their energy bills to help with the rise in energy prices. You will have to pay this back through future bills over a five-year period. You can find out more on Gov.uk.

If you’re having trouble paying your bills

If you’re struggling to pay your bills, contact your supplier. They must help you to work out a solution, such as a payment plan.

You can’t have your energy supply cut off between 1st October and 31st March if you are a pensioner and you live alone or with other pensioners, or if you live with a child under the age of 18. Anyone who is eligible for the Priority Services Register is also protected.

Make sure you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to, such as the Winter Fuel Payment. Use our personalised benefits calculator to find out more about what you can claim, or call our free Helpline (0800 319 6789).

Some energy suppliers offer grants and financial assistance to vulnerable customers. You don’t necessarily have to be with that supplier to qualify. Our Extra help with essential costs if you're on a low income factsheet has more details.

Find out if you qualify for any other local or national energy grant schemes at Simple Energy Advice or Home Energy Scotland.

Don’t ignore any debt recovery letters. If you’re in debt, get advice. You can still look for a better deal on your gas and electricity if you’re in debt, which could make it easier to repay what you owe. Citizens Advice has more information on how to switch energy supplier if you’re in debt.

Energy saving tips

You could also make savings if you:

  • use energy-saving light bulbs and switch off lights when you leave the room
  • don’t leave appliances on standby or on charge unnecessarily
  • close your curtains and shutters at dusk to keep the heat in
  • turn the radiators down - or off - in rooms that you don’t use very often
  • draught-proof your windows, doors and loft hatches
  • choose energy-efficient appliances.

You can find more tips on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Getting advice

You may be able to get free advice on things like energy saving, how to apply for grants and ways to reduce your bills from organisations such as:

Smart meters

Smart meters measure how much energy you’re using. They automatically send meter readings to your energy supplier through your internet connection. They also display your energy use and what it costs in real time.

Whether you’ll save money by switching to a smart meter depends on the amount of energy you use. You’re charged for the energy you actually use rather than an estimated amount, which may help you budget better. If you need to save money straightaway, it’s best to also look into other options such as checking you’re on the best tariff or if you’re eligible for any benefits.

Getting a smart meter fitted is your choice – you don’t have to get one if you don’t want to. To find out more or to ask for one, contact your energy supplier. They may also offer to install one as part of the smart meter roll-out. You won’t have to pay upfront for it – the cost is paid through your energy bills, just like with old-style meters. You can still switch energy supplier if you have a smart meter, but you may have to go back to manual meter readings if you have a first-generation smart meter.

For more information on smart meters, visit Gov.uk.

UPDATED 22/08/2022

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Page last reviewed: 20 December 2022

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