Mcb777 APPEight little-known schemes that can save you up to £4,000 on energy bills - including free cash grants and boilers | The Sun - Mcb777 Casino

ENERGY bills are set to fall on July 1, but they're still far higher than they were a few years ago and some households may still need a helping hand to make ends meet.

The energy regulator Ofgem has confirmed the new price cap, which will see a drop from the current figure of £1,690 to £1,568 a year.

From energy bill grants to free gadgets, including electric blankets and more, here's all the help you can get now

It is the lowest level in two years and means that the average household paying by direct debit for dual fuel could see their annual bill drop by £122.

However, it's important to note that this is not a cap on the overall amount people pay for their energy.

Instead, it caps the amount that their supplier can charge them per kilowatt hour, or unit, of gas and electricit.

The figure quoted is the amount a household will pay for typical usage.

1. Energy grants - worth up to £2,000

Several energy firms have grant schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.

2. Free boiler - worth £1,000s

You could get a new boiler installed for free by your energy company if you are on a low income or are considered vulnerable.

A number of top suppliers are offering the freebie, although eligibility criteria may vary.

British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and Ovo Energy all offer help.

However, not many providers let you apply online, so you need to call them directly to get started.

Customer service numbers are usually found on firms' websites.

How to get free debt help

There are several groups which can help you with your problem debts for free.

Citizens Advice - 0800 144 8848 (England) / 0800 702 2020 (Wales)
StepChange - 0800138 1111
National Debtline - 0808 808 4000
Debt Advice Foundation - 0800 043 4050

You can also find information about Debt Management Plans (DMP) and Individual Voluntary Agreements (IVA) by visiting MoneyHelper.org.uk or Gov.UK.

Speak to one of these organisations - don't be tempted to use a claims management firm.

They say they can write off lots of your debt in return for a large upfront fee.

But there are other options where you don't need to pay.

3. Free solar panels - worth £1,000s

Some councils offer low-income households money towards making their home greener.

And some offer grants to install solar panels, which could save you around £6,000.

The Sun spoke to pensioner Gareth Hodgson, who applied for tens of thousands of pounds of free home improvements that have nearly halved his bills.

The help you can get from your local council varies depending on several factors, including your personal circumstances.

In most areas, homeowners must have a total income of less than £30,000 to get the help.

Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G for you to be eligible too.

4. Cheap energy hours - worth up to £120 a year

You can get discounts on energy bills by simply changing up your usage.

For example, British Gas last month extended its Peak Save scheme offering millions of customers half-price electricity for using their energy during certain hours.

The scheme was due to end on March 31, but has been extended until September 8.

It offers qualifying customers half price electricity between 11am and 4pm every Sunday.

The energy firm said over 500,000 customers had already signed up to the scheme, saving a combined £7million between them.

You can sign up to the scheme on British Gas' website by entering your full name, email address and customer reference number.

It will then get in touch if your application is successful and credit back any money saved after taking part each week.

Be aware that you can only sign up to the scheme if you have a smart meter that can send half-hourly meter readings.

Ovo Energy has a similar scheme which rewards customers for reducing their energy consumption during peak times.

The scheme, Power Move, offers customers up to £10 a month if they cut their usage between 6-9pm, Monday to Friday.

How do I calculate my energy bill?

BELOW we reveal how you can calculate your own energy bill.

To calculate how much you pay for your energy bill, you must find out your unit rate for gas and electricity and the standing charge for each fuel type.

The unit rate will usually be shown on your bill in p/kWh.The standing charge is a daily charge that is paid 365 days of the year - irrespective of whether or not you use any gas or electricity.

You will then need to note down your own annual energy usage from a previous bill.

Once you have these details, you can work out your gas and electricity costs separately.

Multiply your usage in kWh by the unit rate cost in p/kWh for the corresponding fuel type - this will give you your usage costs.

You'll then need to multiply each standing charge by 365 and add this figure to the totals for your usage - this will then give you your annual costs.

Divide this figure by 12, and you'll be able to determine how much you should expect to pay each month from April 1.

5. Household Support Fund - worth £100s

Thousands of struggling households can claim hundreds of pounds worth of free energy bill grants through the Household Support Fund.

Each council gets a different portion of funding from the Government depending on the size of the catchment area, population, and need.

Some councils will make payouts automatically and others will require you to fill in an application form.

You'll usually need to be on a low income to receive the help.

For example, Coventry City Council is offering thousands of families grants worth £140 to help towards energy and water bills.

Plus, Herefordshire Council is giving away £250 worth of cash grants to help hard-up households with their utility bills.

Check with your local council to see what's on offer in your area.

6. Fuel vouchers and emergency credit - worth £10s

If you're on a prepayment meter you might be able to get a one-off voucher to top up.

It comes via the Fuel Bank Foundation charity, and is offered through a range of organisations like food banks and Citizens Advice.

The best place to start to find somewhere which can offer you a fuel voucher is by asking your local council.

The voucher should help you cover around two weeks' worth of electricity use.

Some energy companies may also issue their own vouchers, so ask your supplier directly if they do this.

Households can usually get what's known as "emergency credit" if they have no money left on their meter.

But the credit has to be paid back eventually.

7. Check for reward schemes - save £10s

OVO Energy, which currently serves four million customers, has recently unveiled the OVO Beyond rewards programme.

Households which sign up will receive an extra £10 off their bills each month through OVO Energy's Power Move scheme.

The scheme rewards you for using energy during off-peak times when there's less pressure on the network.

The new loyalty programme. which is free to sign up to, also offers households exclusive benefits and discounts worth up to 35% off.

Customers can buy a Tado Smart Thermostat for £96 instead of £200, get 30% off heating and plumbing repairs booked through the OVO app and get a free boiler service worth £84 in their first year after signing up.

And, Octopus Energy customers signed up to the supplier's Octopus scheme can earn points by spinning an online "Wheel of Fortune" after submitting meter readings and for customer referrals.

Households can also earn "Octopoints" by regularly checking and adjusting direct debit payments and taking part in the firm's Saving Sessions, which reward those using less electricity at times of peak demand.

Eight hundred Octopoints will equate to £1 under the scheme.

8. Free electric blankets and money-saving gadgets - worth £10s

Octopus Energy is offering customers free electric blankets through its Octopus Assist fund.

The energy firm, which services over six million customers, is dishing out the money-saving gadgets to the most vulnerable households such as the elderly and those with mobility issues or other medical conditions.

You should contact Octopus to find out if you're eligible for help.

Granny-of-three-Joyce Burke managed to bag a free electric blanket from Octopus and described it as "brilliant".

Ovo Energy is also offering money-saving gadgets to households through a £40million customer support package.

Customers struggling to pay bills can get access to free energy-saving items like electric throws and mattress toppers, LED bulbs, SMART plug sockets and free boiler services.

Extra support this winter

Winter fuel payment - worth up to £600

If you struggle with bills over the winter, there's help available by way of the winter fuel payment, formerly the winter fuel allowance.

The winter fuel payment is a one-off, tax-free payment made during the winter to help with heating costs. It is made to households that include someone over state pension age (currently 66).

The grant is usually worth between £250 and £600 and is paid automatically in November and December.

Cold weather payments - worth £10s

Cold weather payments are made to hard-up households when there is a seven-day period of sub zero temperatures.

The money is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions and is designed to cover extra costs incurred by colder weather.

The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31, although eligible households don't have to apply as money is paid automatically if you qualify.

However, it's worth taking note of who qualifies, which is anyone on one of the following benefits:

Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Income Support
income-based jobseeker’s allowance
income-related employment and support allowance
Support for mortgage interest

You may have to meet other criteria too, including:

Having a disability or be in receipt of pension premium
Having a child who is disabled
Receiving child tax credit that includes a disability or severe disability element
Having a severe or enhanced disability premium
Being in receipt of a limited capability for work amount
Having a child under five living with you

You can read more about eligibility on the Government's website.

Warm home discount - worth £150

Millions of households in England, Wales and Scotland can get £150 deducted from their energy bills through the warm home discount.

This winter, the money will be taken off your bill between late October and March next year.

You'll need to receive one or more of the following benefits to qualify:

Eight little-known schemes that can save you up to £4,000 on energy bills – including free cash grants and boilers

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1. Energy grants - worth up to £2,000

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