Understanding energy support changes and staying warm this winter

As we approach the winter months, significant changes are on the horizon for energy support in England and Wales. Coupled with rising energy costs, they may leave households wondering how to stay warm without breaking the bank. In this blog post, we’ll be sharing practical tips on preparing for chillier temperatures as well as advising on the energy efficiency measures that can mitigate the impact of increasing energy prices. As always, we’ll be highlighting available funding and signposting those most in need to organisations offering appropriate support.

Understanding upcoming changes

The Winter Fuel Payment is an annual, tax-free lump sum payment to help older people heat their homes in winter. The amount of money varies but tends to be around £200 for households where the oldest person is under 80 and £300 for households where the oldest person is aged 80 or over. Previously, the Winter Fuel Payment was available to all households with members over the state pension age. However, from winter 2024/2025, households in England and Wales will no longer be entitled to it unless they receive Pension Credit or certain other means-tested benefits.

At the same time (from October 1 to December 31, 2024), the energy price cap is set to increase by 10%. The energy price cap is a regulation set by Ofgem, the UK’s energy regulator, which limits the maximum amount that energy suppliers can charge households for their default tariffs. It’s designed to protect consumers from excessive pricing and is reviewed and adjusted periodically to reflect changes in the wholesale energy market and other costs associated with supplying energy to homes. The upcoming increase means that most households will see their energy bills rise.

There are several organisations attempting to persuade the government to reverse its decision regarding the Winter Fuel Payment. Whether these efforts are successful or not, the most important thing you can do to help someone of pension age with their energy bills is to check their eligibility for Pension Credit. Age UK has reported that there are 1 million people eligible or Pension Credit who do not receive it! They have a useful benefits calculator that you can use to work this out.

Practical tips for enhancing energy efficiency

In light of the above changes, it’s more important than ever to focus on improving your home’s energy efficiency. Here are some practical steps you can take:

1. Book your annual boiler service. An efficient, functional boiler is crucial during the winter months and if you haven’t had it serviced for a while, you might want to get it looked at. If your boiler has a rating of D or lower, you could be sitting on savings worth hundreds of pounds. Inefficient boilers lead to unnecessary energy wastage, meaning you’re paying for heat without getting the most from your boiler’s performance. At Thrift, we believe that getting a boiler replacement is a necessity, not a luxury, so if yours breaks down, get in touch and we’ll look into available funding with you.
2. Bleed your radiators. This is another energy efficiency hack that lots of people overlook when they turn their heating back on after the summer months have ended. By releasing trapped air, it allows water to circulate properly through your radiator, increasing the efficiency of your central heating system. All you need is an allen key!
3. Insulate your home. Proper insulation is key to maintaining a warm home while reducing energy consumption. It ensures that more of the energy you pay to generate stays inside your home. Common areas for insulation include your loft, walls, and floors. There are sources of funding to help make these improvements, including the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation(HHCRO), designed to reduce the cost of heating and insulation improvements for residents that are struggling to keep on top of their fuel bills. In the short-term, draught-proofing your home will also help to prevent heat loss, so make sure to seal gaps around windows, doors and floorboards to stop cold air from entering and warm air from escaping.

Immediate help for those experiencing fuel poverty

If you’re currently struggling to heat your home adequately, there are organisations that can provide more immediate assistance, including National Energy Action, a charity working to end fuel poverty; Turn2Us, a charity providing practical help to people who are struggling financially; Citizens Advice, which offers free, independent advice on energy bills; and the British Gas Energy Trust, an independent charity that can help you no matter who supplies your energy. You can also contact your energy provider to ask about assistance, such as payment plans or hardship funds, or your local council to ask about accessing the Household Support Fund.

To discuss making energy-efficiency improvements to your home and check your eligibility for funding opportunities, get in touch with our team today.

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