This winter it’s more important than ever to stay safe and well.
As it gets colder, we’ve put together some handy tips to help you save money, keep your home warm and look after yourself and your family.
- Check if you are eligible for the government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme or Winter Fuel Payment which could help reduce your bills.
- If the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees Celsius or below over seven consecutive days, you may be able to claim a Cold Weather Payment from the government if you’re getting certain benefits or support for mortgage interest.
- See the Citizens Advice energy comparison to make sure you are getting the best deal for your electricity and gas.
- Keep your home warmer by shutting doors, turning down the thermostat in rooms you don’t often use, closing curtains or blinds at night and using draught excluders
- If you are worried about how to stay warm, talk to your energy supplier who may be able to help.
We’re committed to improving the energy efficiency of our homes and becoming a leader in the sector on sustainability and are undertaking extensive work to deliver on this ambition, helping our residents keep warm and save money.
In the last financial year alone we spent more than £10m on work to make our homes more energy efficient, helping our residents save more than an estimated £360,000 on their utility bills.
Alongside this, we’ve introduced fuel vouchers to support those most in need, and are working with British Gas to make it easier for vulnerable residents to access support.
In addition, we’re supporting Home Group’s fuel poverty campaign which calls on the government and energy providers to simplify the support that’s already available and consider new measures to alleviate the pressure on households.
The campaign has a number of key asks centred around the provision of additional support to those affected by the coronavirus outbreak, including one-off fuel payments to vulnerable households, the removal of standing charges and greater access to Winter Fuel Payments.
Michelle Reynolds, Chief Operating Officer at Clarion Housing Group, said: “Helping our residents keep warm and save money on their utility bills is one of our priorities as winter approaches, and so we’re delighted to be supporting Home Group’s campaign. We hope that by working together, the sector will be able to effect real change and help tackle fuel poverty, bringing real benefits to our residents.”
If you’re struggling to pay your bills, or want guidance on utility costs, please contact our Guideline team.