How we can support you
We understand that as winter approaches people are worried about the cost of their heating bills and the cost of food. Here are some ways to help reduce your energy bills, your everyday household bills and keep warm this winter.
- Energy Advice Tool
- Home Energy Advice Team
- Help to Heat schemes including Warm Homes Local Grant
- Warmth Matters
- Support from energy supply providers
- Broadband Social Tariff
- Food waste reduction
- Warm Welcomes
- Citizens Advice
Ways to save on energy
There are a number of ways to help you save on your energy bills, with measures and support to help you reduce your energy use whilst still running your home effectively. Use the Energy Advice Tool that can guide you to the right information for your needs.
Energy Advice Tool
The online Energy Advice tool can help any ßÙßÇÂþ» resident with their energy use. Answer a short series of questions and we'll provide you with information tailored to your personal circumstances. Based on the answers you give, you will receive information on grants, support and advice and non-financial help on a range of topics including:
- Find free or part-funded schemes to make your home more energy efficient
- Signpost to debt relief grants
- Where to find additional services such as clothes and food banks
- Fuel vouchers
The tool will be updated regularly with new schemes and offerings, so check back regularly for updates.
Home Energy Advice Team
The Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) can visit your home, conduct a thermal imaging survey to show you where your home is losing heat (and money), and provide you with free remedial measures such as draught proofing.
HEAT's trained Energy Champions will help you to identify energy efficiency grants you may be eligible for, whether you are struggling with bills or looking to make investments for long term savings. They will send you a written report with recommendations bespoke to your home. All Energy Champions undergo a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check and sign confidentiality agreements to protect your privacy.
Help to Heat Schemes
Find energy grants for your home Including boiler upgrades.
One of the Help to Heat Schemes is the Warm Homes Local Grant.
Warm Homes Local Grant
The Warm Homes Local Grant (WH:LG) is a government-funded scheme that helps low-income households in England improve energy efficiency and switch to low-carbon heating. Visit the Warm Homes Local Grant Guidance for Households web pages for more information.
Warmth Matters
The Warmth Matters team deliver advice sessions for groups and individuals at various locations across ßÙßÇÂþ», helping households with a mixture of light-touch advice at events, face-to-face appointments at community venues and telephone support. Helping people to keep warmer and spend less through a wide variety of strategies:
- Advice on taking simple measures to save energy and adopting energy efficient habits
- Advice on tackling dampness and mould
- Empowering people to take action with energy debt
- Help with switching suppliers and understanding bills
- Priority Services Register enrolments
Warmth Matters run a friendly impartial helpline every Monday 10am-2pm. Call 07442 482284
Support from energy supply providers
Contact your electricity and gas suppliers for advice, payment breaks and grants.
The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:
Water Companies Schemes
Water companies offering discounts to eligible residents details can be found here:
- South East Water:
- SES Water (Sutton and East ßÙßÇÂþ» Water):
- Thames Water:
- Affinity Water:
Household Savings
Broadband Social Tariff
Social tariffs are cheaper broadband and phone packages for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits. Some providers call them ‘essential’ or ‘basic’ broadband. If you or someone in your household claims an eligible benefit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available. Most social tariffs are cheaper than regular broadband packages, ranging from £10-£24 a month.
A full list of available social tariffs can be found on the Ofcom website
Food waste reduction
It’s best to reduce food waste where possible; a family of four could save £83 a month just by reducing the amount of food they throw away. That’s around £1,000 per year! Visit the ßÙßÇÂþ» Environment Partnership website for tips on reducing food waste.
Need further support?
Warm Welcomes
Over 80 Warm Welcome spaces across ßÙßÇÂþ» are not only a place to come and get warm if you are living in a hard to heat household, with a free hot drink, but there is also energy advice on hand if needed. Find your nearest Warm Welcome on the Warm Welcome Venues in ßÙßÇÂþ» webpages.
Citizens Advice
If you need further support to complete forms or to apply for grants and benefits, Citizens Advice can offer A wide range of support and guidance. To find your nearest Citizen’s Advice, please visit their website