Freezing weather has seen the average January gas bill jump £70 this year. Sadly, it’s too late to do much about that now. But there are ways to keep down future bills.
For starters, make sure you are getting as much money as possible from the government to help with your heating bills. If you receive certain benefits, such as the pension credit or income support, you could be eligible for cold weather payments of £25 a week.
These payments are triggered when the forecast temperature is zero or lower for seven consecutive days between 1 November and 31 March. During this year’s Big Freeze a lot of households will become eligible for that cash. To check whether yours is one of them, visit www.directgov.uk.
If you are a pensioner you should also make sure you are receiving your Winter Fuel Payment. This is an additional benefit of at least £125 a year to help with your heating bills. Call the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline if you haven’t received your money on 08459-151515.
Pensioners, and those on a low income, can also apply for financial help from the government to insulate their homes. The scheme is confusingly called “Warm Front” in England, “Warm Homes” in Northern Ireland, the “Energy Assistance Package” in Scotland and the “Home Energy Efficiency Scheme” in Wales.
But it all amounts to the same thing – you can receive grants of up to £3,500 to help pay for loft insulation, draught-proofing and repairs to your heating system. Grants are tiered according to both your need and income, but a surprising number of people are eligible, so it’s worth investigating whether you are too. Find out more by contacting the Energy Savings Trust on 0800-512012, or visiting www.energysavingtrust.org.uk.
If you don’t qualify for one of these schemes you can still cut your heating bills by applying for the government’s new “boiler scrappage” scheme. You can claim £400 off the cost of a new boiler if your current one is “G-rated” for energy efficiency. But act fast as the scheme is only open to the first 125,000 successful applicants.
To check the rating of your boiler visit www.sedbuk.com. You could then double that amount if you choose a boiler from British Gas or Npower. Both firms are offering another £400 off – a handy discount given the average cost of changing a boiler is around £2,500. Given an energy efficient one can shave around £235 off your annual gas bill (according to Kevin Miles, CEO of Npower retail) now looks a great time to bite the bullet and upgrade.