If you’re worried about rising energy bills, there is help available.
We have also launched Plymouth’s ‘warm, welcoming spaces’ highlighting venues across the city that are open and happy to welcome people in this winter, offering somewhere warm and safe to sit.
Struggling to pay your energy bills?
Not being able to afford to heat or power your home can be very worrying and stressful. It's important to continue paying these bills and there's help available from your supplier if you're struggling before you get into debt. Find out more from Ofgem, the independent energy regulator.
The UK Government also has different support schemes that are available to help you with your energy bills.
We also have a page dedicated to financial support, which signposts you to resources that will help check you’re claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to.
Warm, welcoming spaces
If you’re looking for a warm, safe space to spend time in during the day, then please look at our map of welcoming spaces in Plymouth. Many of them also offer extra free services and support or refreshments.
Energy grants available
The Future Fit programme, a partnership between us and the Plymouth Energy Community (PEC), will see £4 million of government funding distributed to up to 300 eligible homes in the city.
The money will be spent on improvements such as wall, floor and loft insulation; getting rid of draughts; help with heating controls; installing solar panels and replacing off-the-grid gas heating systems. Visit PEC’s eligibility checker to see if improvements can be funded for your home.
Tips to save energy
There are lots of small actions you can take to help save energy and cut your energy bills:
- Turn appliances off standby mode
- Turn off lights when you’re not using them, or when you leave a room
- Replace the lights in your home with LED bulbs
- Wash your clothes in cooler water (for example, switch to a 30 degree wash)
- Turn your thermostat down – even just turning it down by one degree could help cut bills by around four per cent, according to Money Saving Expert
- Draught-proof your windows and doors – the Energy Saving Trust has useful tips
- Reduce how long you spend in the shower
- Avoid overfilling the kettle and only boil the amount of water you need
- If you have a dishwasher, only run it when it’s full
- Use the ‘eco’ setting on appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine or boiler
- Unplug your charger once a device, like your phone or laptop, is fully charged
- Use the microwave instead of the oven if you can when cooking
The Energy Saving Trust has useful tips for how to save energy on a budget.
Transforming Plymouth Together also has a range of useful energy saving tips, including recipes for meals that require no cooking or use cheaper methods.