You could be missing out on £150 off your energy bill - here's how to check
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Kevin PeacheyCost of living correspondent
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One call to your energy supplier to ensure your name is on the electricity bill may mean you are in line for a £150 discount this winter – but you need to get in before the deadline.
While the cost of heating your home might not be at the forefront of your mind during the long, hot summer prices are set to rise again this winter.
Suppliers use customers' records as of Sunday 23 August to check who is eligible for the Warm Home Discount.
The government scheme knocks £150 off bills if you are on means-tested benefits such as universal credit.
Household energy could get more expensive
Millions of people will learn of the level of winter energy prices later this month, when Ofgem announces the quarterly price cap for the three months from October.
To help those who might struggle to pay, energy companies distribute the £150 Warm Home Discount to about six million households in the winter. Households in receipt of housing benefit, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Pension Credit and universal credit qualify.
Households who are eligible should get the discount automatically, provided their supplier has over 1,000 customers.
However, that only happens if your name is on the bill and you are receiving one of these benefits. It can also help suppliers offer better support, such as repayment plans, to those who have energy debt.
Someone might not be named on their electricity bill if they have recently moved house.
Eligible customers on pre-payment meters who use a key or card to top up will also need to ensure that their household's account is registered in their name.
"If you know someone who might benefit, please start spreading the word and encourage them to check they are named on their energy bill," said Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh.
The government also said that 345,000 Scottish low-income households would now automatically receive the rebate in the winter, bringing Scotland's policy in line with England and Wales.
Previously, eligible Scottish households have had to apply for the scheme.
Keeping bills down in winter
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A very quick guide:
Keeping bills down in winter
Stay warm for less using these top tips
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Install draught proofing
Windows, doors, letterboxes, chimneys, floorboards, loft hatches… they can all have cracks which let draughts in and heat out.
So draught proofing is the number one tip from The Energy Saving Trust to save money on heating bills.
The Centre for Sustainable Energy has an extensive guide to DIY draught-proofing, or you could pay more for a professional.
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Layer up
Wearing thick clothes and using warm bedding can help to keep you warm even if your home is on the chilly side, and wearing multiple thin layers will keep you warmer than one thick layer.
Opening your curtains when the sun is shining will also help. Just remember to shut them again when the sun goes down, to keep the cold out.
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Turn your boiler off
The Energy Saving Trust is clear on this one: leaving a boiler on for longer will cost more. It's better to just have it on when you need it.
The Met Office, which measures temperatures and weather for the UK, recommends setting timers to turn the heating on before you get up and off after you've gone to bed.
If no one is at home all day then you can have it turn off before you leave and on again just before you get back.
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Heat the rooms you use
If you're worried about bills, stick to heating the rooms you use the most by using the radiator controls.
Don't forget to close the door on the rooms you're leaving cold and think about getting draught excluders to keep your rooms extra snug.
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Bleed radiators
Bleeding your radiators saves money by removing bubbles which make it slower to heat up your home.
Experts say you should aim to bleed your radiators every year as it starts to get cold.
When the radiator is cold, use a screwdriver or radiator key to turn the valve at the top, until you hear a hissing noise. Hold an old cloth to the valve in case any water comes out.
All the bubbles are gone when the hissing stops and you can close the valve again.
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Get government help
The government is giving pensioners and people on certain benefits extra help with heating costs.
If you already get benefits or a state pension you can check if you can get some more help.
Local councils also have a household support fund for struggling households.
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The right temperature for you
Ideally, you should heat your home to a temperature of at least 18°C.
This is particularly important if you have reduced mobility, are 65 or over, or have a health condition, such as heart or lung disease.
If you are under 65, active and wearing appropriate clothing, you may wish to keep your home at a comfortable temperature even if it is slightly lower than 18°C.
