Energy price cap rise adds £60 a year to typical bills: four steps households can take now to save money

MoneyHelper, the free and impartial money and pensions guidance service operated by MaPS has set out its top tips to help people save money on their energy bills ahead of the colder winter weather:

1. Review your energy bill regularly to make sure you're not overpaying and understand exactly what you're being charged for. Taking meter readings and submitting them to your supplier can help make sure your bills reflect what you've actually used, rather than estimated readings. It's also worth using comparison sites to shop around and see whether you could save money by switching to a better deal.
2. Pay your bill by Direct Debit, if possible. This is often the cheaper payment option and means you don’t have to worry about missing payments.
3. Cut energy use where you can by using appliances on eco settings, only running full loads, switching off lights and devices when not in use, and preventing heat loss with curtains and draught excluders. Some suppliers offer cheaper electricity rates at certain times of the day, so check whether your current tariff includes off-peak rates or whether switching could help you access them.
4. If you're worried about paying your bills, seek help early. MoneyHelper provides free and impartial guidance to help you understand your options and access available support. Our dedicated guides explain the steps you can take if you are struggling to pay your billsOpens in a new window, while our Benefits calculatorOpens in a new window can help you check you're getting all the support you're entitled to.

Lilly Aaron, Senior Policy Manager at the Money and Pensions Service, said:

“Rising energy costs are a real worry for many households, particularly as the colder weather sets in and using less energy is not always straightforward.

“If you’re concerned about your energy bill, check your tariff and recent use, review how you pay and make sure your bill is based on an up-to-date meter reading.

"If paying your bills is becoming difficult, don't wait for the problem to build up. It’s always best to speak to your energy supplier as early as possible to discuss the support they can offer and use MoneyHelper's free and impartial guidance to find out what other help may be available." 

For help with your energy bill or for more free and impartial money and pensions guidance, visit MoneyhelperOpens in a new window.

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