“I know bills are due to rise, but how can I be sure I am paying the right amount”?
“My energy company wants me to increase my direct debit – how much is the right amount”?
“My energy company went bust – I have finally got a bill from my new provider and it’s loads higher than before. How do I know it’s right”?
Here are a few things you can do:
- Check your meter readings for gas and electric, and see if the readings match your bill. Take a meter reading(s) and check your bill. Your current reading should be higher than the reading on your bill. If the bill says it is using an estimated meter reading it is most likely to be inaccurate; if there is a difference, submit your new reading to your energy company
- Check the recommended payment – is this similar to the amount you normally use? Winter is mostly over and we will be turning our heating down or off, so our energy use is likely to be dropping. In summer we use less energy so you may be able to reduce your payments, but people often choose to pay a little extra so that they have some credit ready for the winter.
- Ask for help – if you would like help to read the meter(s) or making sense of your bill, contact us
If your payments appear accurate but are still too much to afford:
- First contact your energy provider – they may be able to help
- There may be financial support available – please get in touch with us at Warm Connections, CAP (Christians Against Poverty) or the Citizens’ Advice Bureau for advice
- Reduce your energy use. There are lots of small changes which can help reduce energy use or make your house more efficient. You have probably done or are doing some of them, but perhaps we can help.
If you can get by through the summer but are worried about next winter:
- There are lots of preparations we can make through the summer to help us use less energy next winter, eg:
- Draught proofing
- Thermal curtains – improving your current ones or finding curtains with a thermal lining
- Accessing a grant to improve your boiler
- Making door draught excluders
- Practicing energy saving ideas around the house so that by winter they have become habit for you (and the kids)