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Tips on how to reduce the cost of your heating bills

As Britain's coldest spell for 30 years continues, families are beginning to feel the heat from increased energy bills as they struggle to keep their houses warm this winter. The cost of heating a home rose 52% this month and The Telegraph reports that families will pay £1.9bn in extra heating charges if the freezing weather continues for another week. Energyhelpline, a price comparison service, predicts that the average gas bill for the month will reach £227.

So what can be done to help you with your gas and electricity bills? It is not just pensioners and those on low incomes that can claim additional money towards bills. Families can also seek help to make their homes more energy efficient.

Below are five of the best schemes:

Cold Weather Payments

During periods of prolonged cold weather many people can claim an extra £25 a week off their heating bills if they are receiving the Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. The cold weather payment is triggered when the forecast temperature is zero or below for seven consecutive days, between November 1 and March 31. If you qualify you should not need to apply as you will receive the payment automatically. If you think you should have received a Cold Weather Payment but have not received one, tell your pension centre or Jobcentre Plus. Visit the online postcode search at Directgov to find out if your area is due to receive payment by clicking here.


The Warm Front Scheme

Pensioners and those on income or disability-related benefits may be able to get help paying for heating and insulation improvements in their privately owned or rented home, by applying to the Warm Front scheme. Through the scheme you can receive up to £3,500 to put towards the cost of loft insulation, draught-proofing and repairs to an existing heating system, or for a new boiler. You can get up to £6000 if your home needs oil central heating. Grants are given according to need and income. In Northern Ireland the scheme is known as Warm Homes, in Scotland it is the Energy Assistance Package, and in Wales it is the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme. For more information call the Energy Saving Trust on 0800 512 012 or visit their website www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.


Boiler Scrappage Vouchers

Even if you don't qualify for the Warm Front scheme, you can still apply for the new ‘boiler scrappage' scheme. Home owners in England can claim up to £400 off the cost of a more energy-efficient boiler. This increases to £800 if it is installed by British Gas or Npower. However, these discounts are only given to the first 125,000 applicants, who will need to have a ‘G-rated' boiler or worse to qualify - generally speaking boilers over 15 years old usually meet this eligibility. By upgrading your boiler to an A-rated one, your household heating bill should drop by about a quarter, saving you on average £235 a year.  For more information click here. To apply for these vouchers call 0800 512 012 or email boilerscrappage@est.org.uk with information about your current boiler make and model.


Winter Fuel Payments

If you are over 60 you can apply for the Winter Fuel Payment. This will be at least £125 a year, but rises to £400 for older pensioners. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 151515, or download a claim form.


Help from utility companies

If you do not qualify for government help then it might be worth investigating your utility company. Many have targets for improving home energy efficiency among their customers and periodically run offers that can significantly reduce the cost of installing energy-efficiency measures. It is also worth keeping an eye on offers from rival suppliers by looking on their website or calling their customer helpline, even if they don't supply your gas or electricity.

 

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