Lockdown has increased energy bills across the country as working from home, home-schooling and self-isolation have all impacted on household energy costs.
Energy suppliers and infrastructure companies have all tried to adapt their service provision to the ‘new normal’; mostly through an increased reliance on online communications and the use of digital tools.
One area where energy companies have been active is in the identification of financially vulnerable consumers or consumers vulnerable to sudden interruptions in supply. Priority Service Registers, discounts and repayment flexibilities have all been expanded.
How has this affected your household? Has your experience of working with your energy supplier been a good one or have their responses to lockdown left you disappointed. If you have a story to tell about your experiences with your energy supplier please fill in the short questionnaire below.
Key facts
In Coventry:
Over 70% of ‘fuel poor’ households are made up of the elderly, lone parents, those with long term illness and others with particular disabilities (particularly respiratory and cardio-vascular problems).
Heat and Health:
In Britain a cold spell during a mild winter is followed:
• 2 days later by a sudden rise in heart attacks
• 5 days later by a big rise in the number of strokes
• 12 days later by a big rise in respiratory illness.
Other cold-related illnesses include asthma, influenza, common colds, bronchial illness and pneumonia. Winter-related disease due to cold private housing costs the NHS over £850m annually. Nationally, on average, there are over 25,000 ‘excess winter deaths’ between December and March.
For more on this go to: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng6 .
Energy Efficiency-Saving (top tips):
• turn down your thermostat – depending on your health needs
• reduce the default temperature of your water
• eliminate draughts
• switch off lights/appliances that are not in use – including not charging phones/laptops overnight
• contact an expert energy advice agency (see below) and ask about an ‘energy health check’.
Saving Money on Your Bills:
• check you are on the best tariff for you – switching supplier could save you over £200
• switch to online billing
• switch to payments by direct debit
• use the same supplier for both gas and electricity
• take regular meter readings – don’t rely on estimated bills
Addressing Fuel Poverty:
• Fuel Direct – you may be able to get your fuel bills deducted directly from your benefits
• Warm Homes Discount – ask your energy supplier if this discount applies to you
• Energy Trust Funds – if you have large arrears you could get financial assistance
• Switching to a meter – this can be a better way to control usage and reduce bills (get specialist advice before choosing this option)
• For general money management advice look at: https://www.moneyadviceservice.org.uk/en or contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau.
Expert Energy Advice Agencies / Useful Websites:
Citizens Advice - www.bigenergysavingweek.org.uk
Coventry City Council – www.energysavinghomes.org.uk
Energy Saving Trust – www.est.org.uk
National Energy Action – www.nea.org.uk
Ofgem – www.ofgem.gov.uk
Energy Ombudsman – www.ombudsman-services.org/sectors/energy
Switching Your Energy Supplier:
If you are thinking about switching your energy supplier visit Citizens Advice’s website to compare energy prices - https://energycompare.citizensadvice.org.uk (Be sure to check with your existing supplier whether they can offer you a better deal).
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