Cut the cost of your heating bills

Making your home more energy efficient, reduces your carbon emissions and lowers your energy bills.

The largest single source of heating emissions is from our buildings, domestic properties in particular. We need to dramatically reduce the amount of energy our buildings consume to keep us warm, cool, fed and healthy.

If you want to reduce your carbon emissions and keep your energy bills low, installing insulation or draught-proofing will reduce heat loss.  These measures can include:

• Roof and loft insulation
• Cavity wall insulation
• Solid wall insulation
• Floor insulation
• Draught-proofing doors and windows
• Replacing old doors and windows with triple-glazing

With the cost of living rising, you may be struggling with your energy bills. There is national and local support to help with your monthly bills, plus guidance on how you can make your home more energy efficient longer term.

The Government’s Help for Households website details nationally-led support for energy bills. This includes the Energy Bill Support Scheme, which is giving every household £400 (spread over monthly payments from October 2022 to March 2023) towards their energy bills. If you pay your bill by direct debit payments this will be paid automatically. If you are on a pre-payment meter then you need to redeem your vouchers. Vouchers are only valid for 90 days so you need to redeem vouchers as soon as possible. Find out more on the Help for Households website – UK Government Help for Households website

The Energy Saving Trust has pulled together #EnergySavingHacks, a series of tips and advice that could help you save up to £564 a year on your bills, all whilst reducing your carbon footprint – #EnergySavingHacks – Energy Saving Trust website

The Energy Price Cap, set by Ofgem, limits the maximum amount energy suppliers can charge you for each unit of energy you use. Better understanding the cap can help you plan your energy use – find out more using Money Saving Expert’s energy price cap calculator – Energy Price Cap Calculator – Money Saving Expert website

Electricity North West’s Extra Care Register offers support and advice to households who might struggle during a power cut. It is free to sign up to the register on the Electricity North West website – Extra Care Register – Electricity North West website

Priority Services Register

Vulnerable residents are prioritised through the Priority Services Register, and can receive additional help from utility companies. Examples of Priority help include advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and heating and cooking facilities if you are cut off.

Your energy companies will consider you vulnerable if you:

• are disabled or have a long-term health condition
• are recovering from an injury
• have mental health problems
• don’t speak or read English well
• have children under 5 or are pregnant
• have reached your State Pension age

If your situation isn’t listed, you might still be able to sign up for priority services e.g. if you’re recently bereaved or you’ve returned to living independently after some time in residential care.

Apply by contacting your energy supplier or network operator(s).