Thousands of Croydon households face the prospect of rising fuel bills this winter. But on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, here are some tips and links to help and support
Today is Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, drawing attention to the millions of households across the country who will struggle to keep up with their energy bills or properly heat their homes this winter.
Balancing the budget: there are several ways to reduce energy bills
With energy bills still high following the 2021 gas price crisis and set to increase further in January, energy debt and uncomfortably cold homes are now all too familiar for many Croydon residents.
Fuel poverty estimates for Croydon vary depending on source, but even the lowest figures suggest more than 10% of households will struggle with their energy bills this winter. Some estimates put that figure as high as 25%.
National Energy Action, the national fuel poverty charity, estimate that across the country, more than 6million homes spend more than 10% of their income on keeping their homes warm.
Croydon Community Energy offer a free advice service on energy bills for Croydon residents.
Their top five tips are:
- Talk to Debt Free London if you’re struggling with bill payments
- Check if you are eligible for government benefits or other financial support
- Apply to Croydon Healthy Homes or Household Support Fund for support from Croydon Council
- Check if you are eligible for the Priority Services Register – this means you can get additional support and information from energy companies
- Check for recommendations on your Energy Performance Certificate, if you have one
Everyone’s home and situation are different – so for the best advice, Croydon Community Energy recommend arranging a one-to-one chat with a trained advisor, who will be able to provide personalised advice and potentially make referrals for additional support.
National Energy Action run a phoneline for energy advice and benefits support which is available 10am – 4pm Monday to Thursday and 10am – 12.30pm on Fridays, on 0800 304 7159.
Alternatively, people can sign up for local support from a Croydon Community Energy advisor via the form here: https://croydoncommunityenergy.portal.nookcrm.com/civicrm/nook/initial-contact.
Other low-cost actions which Croydon Community Energy recommend people can take to reduce their energy bills include:
- Replacing old light bulbs with modern LEDs
- Getting your heating serviced annually and bleeding radiators if they aren’t heating up properly
- Using thick curtains to reduce heat loss through windows
- Consider insultating film for single-glazed windows as a cheap option if you can’t replace them with modern alternatives
- If you have a hot water cylinder, check whether it has at least 80mm of insulation
- Consider using a microwave, air-fryer or slow-cooker instead of the oven where you can, particularly if you are cooking smaller meals which don’t use the whole oven space.
Advice service: CCE stages drop-in advice events. This one was visited by MP Natasha Irons (right)
Earlier this year, Croydon Community Energy successfully installed their first community-funded solar panels at two sites in Croydon.
The group hopes that in the longer term, the money earned from these sites and others will be able to fund more activities – like their energy advice service – which benefit the community.
Chris Galpin, the fuel poverty director at Croydon Community Energy, said: “Too many people will spend this winter unable to afford to properly heat their homes.
“If you are struggling, please don’t suffer in silence – reach out to an energy advisor who can give you expert, confidential advice, and may be able to signpost you towards financial support.”
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Certainly right. I am over £4600 behind with my octopus Utility bills. I am just able to afford £103.00 per month
And every month it’s just keep on going up and up. I am Received universal credit and p I p benefits. And I have serious health issues. Any assistance available please.