Energy advice

The Energy Advice project is funded by the Energy Redress Scheme to raise awareness and provide energy-saving advice across Cheshire West and Cheshire East. We help people to manage energy costs and provide them with the tools needed to make sustainable behaviour changes that will reduce energy consumption and cut energy bills.

As part of that service we offer free Energy Advice workshops to staff and volunteers working with vulnerable clients who are facing fuel poverty. We aim to give the front line workers the confidence and skills to help their clients to make behaviour changes, cut energy costs and raise awareness of grants and schemes available.

The workshop lasts approximately an hour and there are opportunities to ask questions. We use a projector and can present the workshops in any room with power sockets and internet access.

Following the workshop, if your front line workers have clients who are in need of further help managing their energy costs and consumption, the Energy Advice Team can accept direct referrals from organisations that have received the training.

Feedback from clients after direct advice from the team has shown some incredible results such as:

31% of households saw a reduction in their bills
53% were eligible for grants and submitted an application
89% said the advice given helped improve their situation

These workshops can be delivered both as a presentation with a projector or as a talk at your place of work/designated venue or can be delivered remotely.

If you would like to know more about workplace training please contact us at: energy-advice@citizensadvicecw.org.uk

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Energy Saving Tips for Your Home

There are many easy ways to save energy at home. Check out some of our top energy-saving tips:

Turn off appliances when not in use: Don’t leave electronics, lights, and chargers plugged in when not in use.
Use energy-efficient lighting: Swap to LED bulbs, which use less energy and last longer.
Optimise your heating system: Lower your thermostat by just 1°C and save up to 10% on heating costs.
Turn down boiler flow temperature from the factory default setting of approx. 85°C to as little as 60°C, which still delivers hand-hot water through your taps and to your appliances.
Insulate your home: Adding loft insulation or double-glazing windows can keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Reduce your washing costs: Use your washing machine on a 30°C cycle or on an eco-wash instead of higher temperatures. Reduce your washing machine use by one run per week.
Avoid the tumble dryer: Drying clothes on airers inside or outside in warmer weather can save you money.
Don’t heat empty rooms: Turn the heaters or radiators down or off in rooms you are not using. If the thermostats are on full in these rooms you will be wasting energy.
Change your cooking methods: Could you use a slow cooker, air-fryer or a microwave which are cheaper than an oven.
Close your curtains at night to keep the house insulated – your windows are the easiest way for heat to escape.
Move furniture away from radiators to let the heat circulate.

Draught-proofing

https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy-at-home/reducing-home-heat-loss/

Tariffs

Switching to a different energy supplier and moving to a new tariff could save you money. Use an Ofgem accredited comparison site to ensure you are on the most economical tariff for you:
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/energy-advice-households/switching-energy-supplier

Income Maximisation

Social Tariffs if you are in receipt of a means tested benefit you could pay a reduced amount for Broadband. Use OFCOM’s guide to see what’s available:

Social Tariffs: Cheaper broadband and phone packages – Ofcom.

Water meters: Check if it’s cheaper on a water meter, you can sign up for a 2 year trial where you pay the lowest bill amount. You can find out more about water meters below:

United Utilities

Severn Trent

FAQs

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Q: How do I know if I’m on the best energy tariff for my home?
A: Our advisors can help you compare tariffs and ensure you’re getting the best deal. Switching to a more suitable tariff could save you money each year.

Q: Can I make my home more energy-efficient without spending a lot?
A: Yes! There are simple, low cost measures you can take to save energy, such as installing draft excluders, adjusting your thermostat, and replacing old light bulbs with LEDs.

Q: How can I access support if I’m struggling with energy bills?
A: Our team can help you access various support schemes, including discounts, debt management, and grants. Don’t hesitate to contact us for assistance.

Q: My Victorian terraced house is increasingly expensive to heat. Is any government financial support available to help us?
A: Linked to the UK’s ambition to reach net zero by 2050, the government supports homeowners and landlords insulating their homes before installing renewable energy sources such as heat pumps and solar panels. Energy advisers can support you in reducing the cost of installing cavity wall, loft, internal wall insulation and more through schemes and grants if you meet eligibility criteria. In turn this should reduce your energy bills.

Q: We have an older relative coming to stay permanently with us next month; she lives with a chronic medical condition. What support is available to us?
The energy team can assess your household through a home visit or phone/face-to-face advice and provide you with the tools to ensure that you are aware of any benefit you may be eligible for. Your household would be eligible for the Priority Services Register putting your family to be amongst the first to be reconnected to any utility that fails in bad weather for example; electricity, gas or water outages.

Useful links

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Adviceline 0808 2787 806

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