Energy bills are one of the things families are most worried about at the moment. But there is help out there, so don’t assume you have to manage alone. And to help keep bills down, we’ve also got some top tips on how to reduce the amount of energy you use.
Help to pay your energy bills
All households with a domestic electricity connection in Great Britain are automatically eligible for a £400 discount on their energy bills. You don’t have to do anything to claim this – it’ll be paid directly to your supplier from October 2022. You can find out more about the Energy Bills Support Scheme here.
What to do if you’re having problems paying your bills
Tip #1: Talk to your supplier
Tip #1: Talk to your supplier
Tip #2: See if you're entitled to help
Tip #2: See if you're entitled to help
Tip #3: Get advice from the Money Talk Team
Tip #3: Get advice from the Money Talk Team
What if I have a pre-payment meter?
If you have a pre-payment meter (a meter you top up on a ‘pay-as-you-go’ basis) you’re still entitled to all the help outlined above. In addition, you may be able to get temporary credit from your supplier, to tide you over. You can find out more about what to do if you can’t afford to top up your meter on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.
It may be cheaper for your to switch to a standard meter. You can find out how to do this on the Citizens Advice Scotland website.
How can I save energy at home?
For more energy saving tips, visit the Home Energy Scotland website.
Tip #1: Get a smart meter
Tip #1: Get a smart meter
Tip #2: Turn things off at the plug socket
Tip #2: Turn things off at the plug socket
Tip #3: Take shorter showers
Tip #3: Take shorter showers
Tip #4: Turn things off when you leave the room
Tip #4: Turn things off when you leave the room
Tip #5: Do your dishes in a bowl instead of under a running tap
Tip #5: Do your dishes in a bowl instead of under a running tap
Tip #6: Turn the heating down just a little bit
Tip #6: Turn the heating down just a little bit
Tip #7: Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
Tip #7: Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
Tip #8: Only boil the water you need for hot drinks
Tip #8: Only boil the water you need for hot drinks
Tip #9: Use the microwave instead of the oven
Tip #9: Use the microwave instead of the oven
Tip #10: Wrap your windows
Tip #10: Wrap your windows
Tip #11: Draught-proof your house
Tip #11: Draught-proof your house
Tip #12: Shop around for deals
Tip #12: Shop around for deals
Tip #13: Get funding to make your home more energy efficient
Tip #13: Get funding to make your home more energy efficient
Getting help during power cuts or if there’s an interruption to your gas, electricity or water supplies
The Priority Services Register (PSR) is a free, UK wide service which provides extra help during power cuts or when there’s an interruption to your electricity, gas or water supply. Anyone who lives with a child under 5 can register for this extra support, but if your children are older there are lots of other reasons you may be eligible too – you can find out more at the PSR Scotland website. Extra support includes things like priority updates during outages, a connection to your local emergency services and emergency supplies of power and water if you need them. Visit the PSR Scotland website to see if you’re eligible and to register.
If you have a power cut and need to know more, you can call PSR Scotland on 105.
Family Support Directory
Find more support for your finances from trusted organisations in our Family Support Directory.