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Advice to help you keep warm this winter

As the weather cools, it’s time to think about keeping your home warm and managing energy costs. We’re here with practical tips to help you stay comfortable and save money. If you’re struggling with payments, we’ll advise you on what to do and how to avoid being moved to a prepayment meter.

How to save energy and money 

Tips from Energy Saving Trust*

Take control of your heating

Over half of the average energy bill goes to heating and hot water. Setting your heating controls correctly can help you save. A room temperature between 18°C and 21°C is ideal for most people. If you have a thermostat, lowering the temperature by just one degree could save you around £90 a year. If you need a warmer home due to a medical condition, ask your GP about the right temperature.

If your boiler has a separate hot water cylinder, try boosting its insulation. An insulation 'jacket' costs around £30 and could save you £40 a year.

Get a smart meter

Smart meters track your energy use and help you spot savings. Ask your energy supplier if you’re eligible. If you rent, it's normally a good idea to ask your landlord first.

Switch off standby

Turning off appliances at the socket could save you around £45 a year. Usually, this won’t affect programming, but check the instructions if you’re unsure.

Turn off the lights

Make it a habit to switch off lights when you’re not using them—it could save you around £6 a year. When replacing bulbs, choose LEDs for instant brightness and lower running costs.

Simple kitchen savings

Avoid overfilling the kettle by measuring out the water you need; it could save you up to £9 a year. Wash clothes at 30 degrees to save around £11 a year. Skip the dryer and use a clothes rack to save up to £45 a year. Only run the dishwasher when full, and reducing its use by one run per week could save around £11 a year.

Bathroom savings

Keeping showers to 4 minutes could save a typical household up to £60 a year. Swapping one bath a week for a quick shower could save around £9. Switching to a water efficient shower head could save an average household with a water meter up to £25 on gas bills and £35 on your water bills if you’re metered.

Draught-proof your home

Block unwanted gaps around windows and doors to save around £40 a year and keep your home warmer. Installing a chimney draught excluder could save around £55 a year.

We’ve got more tips on saving energy on our website here.

What to do if you’re finding it hard to keep up with payments 

Let your supplier know as soon as possible. They should:

  • Set you up with a payment plan that considers what you can afford

  • Tell you about any grants they have to help you pay off your debt

If you need extra support

You can apply to be added to your electricity network's Priority Services Register. Just fill out the form on your electricity network’s website. Go to thepsr.co.uk, enter your postcode, and it’ll link you to the form you need.

If you’re struggling to top up your prepayment meter

You might be eligible for a fuel voucher

Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher, or with other energy support - find your local council at gov.uk/find-local-council. This will take you through to your local council webpage, where you’ll be able to find any energy or cost of living support in your local area. 

You’ll receive the voucher as a code via letter, text, or email. You can redeem it at a local store that’s signed up with Paypoint or at a Post Office with Payzone.

If you’ve run out of gas or electricity, your energy supplier should give you temporary credit if you’re having problems topping up. Your supplier might add the temporary credit to your meter automatically - if they don’t, you should ask for it as soon as you can. You can check your supplier’s website to find out how to get temporary credit.

We have more advice on what to do if you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter on our website.

Don’t want to be moved to a prepayment meter?

Your gas or electricity supplier might tell you they’re going to move you to prepayment if you owe them money.

Your supplier won’t move you to prepayment if:

  • your debt is less than £200 for electricity and less than £200 for gas

  • it’s been less than 3 months since the bill was issued

  • you disagree with the bill amount and you’ve told them why, for example, the bill is for a previous tenant

Your supplier can’t make you move to prepayment if it wouldn’t be safe or practical.

Tell your supplier moving to prepayment wouldn’t be safe if you’re aged 75 or older and you:

  • live alone
  • live with someone, but neither of you can safely get to, work or top up your prepayment meter

If you’re disabled or have a health condition and you don’t think it would be safe for you to be on prepayment, you should tell your supplier immediately. You can refuse to move to prepayment if you or someone in your home has a:

  • health condition or disability which needs a continuous supply of electricity - for example, you use a stair lift or take medication which needs to be kept in a fridge
  • health condition which is made worse by a cold home - for example, sickle cell disease
  • severe or terminal health condition - for example, COPD or cancer

We have more advice on getting help if you’re behind with your energy bills, grants and benefits to help you pay your energy bills and stopping your energy supplier from moving you to a prepayment meter on our website.

*All figures correct as of October 2024 based on a typical three-bedroom semi-detached house in England, Wales or Scotland on a standard energy tariff and paying by direct debit.

Last updated: October 2024