As the nights start to draw in and the days get cooler, you might be thinking about switching on the heating but don’t know if you can afford the bills that come with it.
Here are some top tips to help manage your energy bills this winter:
- Turn appliances off rather than leaving them on standby
- Install a smart thermostat – smart thermostats allow you to track your usage easily and turn your heating on or off from anywhere so you can save money when you aren’t home.
- Turn down your thermostat – Reducing the temperature your thermostat is set to by just one degree can save you more than £100 a year, according to experts.
- Wash clothes at lower temperatures – you could save around £34 a year just by turning the temperature of your washing machine down
- Monitor your energy usage and submit regular meter readings
- Insulate your property
- Avoid using the tumble dryer – drying your clothes on racks inside where possible could save around £70 a year
- Don’t allow yourself to get cold before layering up or taking other actions.
It’s a good idea to be prepared for the winter and to look out for yourself, your family and your friends during this time. Find out more about what help and support there is for families in North East Lincolnshire this winter at www.nelincs.gov.uk/health-wellbeing-and-social-care/support-for-families.
Locally, North East Lincolnshire Council is providing an energy efficiency scheme to help people live in a warmer home and reduce your energy bills. The scheme will offer fully funded home improvements to eligible homeowners.
Eligible properties will receive upgrades up to the value of £10,000, however, up to £25,000 funding could be made available for qualifying homes.
Private renting tenants are also able to apply. However, landlords must contribute one third of the total costs.
The property type will dictate the improvements householders can receive which may include insulation, solar panels, air source heat pumps and high heat retention electric storage heaters.
Councillor Philip Jackson, Leader and portfolio holder for economy, net zero, skills and housing, said: “This scheme will help reduce residents’ energy bills at a time when prices have increased and people may be finding themselves struggling.
“We are urging our residents to apply to the scheme before it’s too late, to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, so this winter they can be warmer without extremely high bills.”
Your last chance to apply for the energy efficiency scheme is fast approaching, final sign-ups can take place up to 30 November 2022.
Residents interested in the scheme are encouraged to call YES Energy Solutions on 03309 126 199, or alternatively, you can contact the Home Energy Team on (01472) 326296 and select option 5.
Many charities also offer support for people in need with their energy bills. To see if there is one that might be able to help you, turn2us has a search tool to identify which grants you may be eligible for. Visit www.turn2us.org.uk to see what support may be available to you.
There are a number of schemes available nationally and through energy providers to help individuals to cope with the rising cost of living. www.Charisgrants.com/individuals is a useful website which shows the schemes that are currently available and allows you to apply online. Alternatively, you may wish to contact your energy supplier directly to find out what support they are offering.
If you are unsure about any of this or have further questions, contact Citizens Advice on 0808 223 1133 at www.citicensadvice.org.uk.
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