Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire shares tips for saving money on your energy bills

Read on for our tips on lowering your energy bills

• Here are nine suggestions for saving money by making small adjustments around the home
• The charity also points to where to go for financial support for energy costs
• Come to the charity’s Big Energy Saving Network sessions for more advice and support

As people across South Gloucestershire struggle with sky-high energy bills, Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire shares practical advice for bringing down costs.

The charity has teamed up with Energy Saving Trust to provide the following advice for making small savings around the home.*

• Turning your appliances off standby could save you £65 a year
• Draught proofing windows, doors and blocking cracks around your home could save you up to £125 a year
• Turning off lights when you leave a room could save you £25 a year
• Washing your clothes at 30 degrees and doing one less machine run a week could save you around £34 a year
• Ditching the tumble dryer and drying your clothes on racks in a well-ventilated room or outside in warmer weather could save you £70 a year
• Reducing your shower time to 4 minutes can save you £95 a year
• Swapping one bath a week with a 4 minute shower can save you £20 a year
• Avoiding overfilling the kettle could save you £13 a year
• Running your dishwasher one time less per week could save you £17 a year

People must get all the support they’re entitled to

These lifestyle changes still might not cover the hole in household budgets. As a result, Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire is also urging people to check they’re getting all the support they’re entitled to. This could include:

• Energy Bills Support Scheme — a £400 discount given to every household. People who use prepayment meters are also entitled to this – there’s more information here on how this works.
• Warm Home Discount — a £150 discount if you get certain benefits
• Fuel vouchers — if you can’t afford to top up your prepayment meter
• Cold weather payments — payments if you get certain benefits and the weather is extremely cold
• Grants from your energy supplier — to help you pay off debts you may owe

For more information, visit the Citizens Advice website.

If you owe money to your energy supplier, you should speak to them about setting up a payment plan. They’re responsible for helping you find a way to pay your bills.

Chantal Watts, Chief Executive Officer of Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, said: “We know times are extremely hard and a lot of people are struggling to stay afloat. It’s important to know about any way you can safely save money and what support you’re entitled to.

“We know many people are already doing everything they can and are still stretched beyond their limit. If you need personalised support, don’t hesitate to contact us.”

Energy bill saving sessions

Anyone looking for more advice and support can attend the charity’s Big Energy Saving Network sessions in the region.

Themes the charity will cover in the session include energy efficiency and energy saving measures, as well as the Government support available.

An online session will take place on March 15 from 2pm to 3pm, with attendees encouraged to register via Eventbrite.

The charity will also run an event at the Salvation Army in Broad Street, Staple Hill from 12 noon to 1.30pm tomorrow (Feb 7).

Eliza Hirst, Advice Session Supervisor and Debt Adviser at Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire, said: “We know that lots of people are worried about their increased energy costs, which is why we want to reach as many people as possible across South Gloucestershire through our Big Energy Saving Network events.

“We will be looking at ways to ease the pressure from increased energy bills including financial support available, emergency support for those in fuel crisis and providing advice on ways to reduce energy bills through simple changes most people can make.”

• The charity is keen to work with groups or organisations to deliver energy advice. Anyone involved in the running of an interested group or organisation can contact Eliza Hirst at: eliza.hirst@southgloscab.org.uk
• Anyone in South Gloucestershire seeking free, independent, impartial and confidential advice from Citizens Advice South Gloucestershire can call 0808 278 7927
• or visit: www.southgloscab.org.uk
• or visit https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

Published 03/02/23.