East Suffolk Council

Fuel, energy and utilities

A complete list of available support is below. Please take the time to read it and use the links to the support you need.

If you, or someone you know, need help with accessing advice and support with the cost of living, please complete our online cost of living form. Please note that we aim to respond to your contact within 5 working days.

Warm Rooms

A network of Warm Rooms has opened across East Suffolk to provide a safe, welcoming space for anyone struggling with heating costs during the colder winter months. Locations include everything from community halls and churches to leisure centres and pubs, each providing a warm space, hot drinks and an opportunity to connect with others.

Energy advice

A number of organisations have produced a useful guide to domestic energy consumers. Although they are intended for front-line advisers to help them to answer questions, give the right advice and signpost people to where they can get help, they do include a lot of useful links and information which is regularly updated.

Visit Ofgem to read the energy domestic consumer advice for Autumn/Winter 2022.

Servicing or upgrading your boiler

Your boiler should be serviced at least once a year to ensure that it is running safely and efficiently. Failing to do so can lead to faults, higher energy bills and your warranty ending early.

If you are looking to upgrade to a low carbon heating system, you may be eligible to a grant of up to £5,000 through the GOV.UK Boiler Upgrade Scheme.

Keeping your home warm

Get energy-saving advice from Warm Homes Suffolk to help manage your costs and keep your home warm.

If your total household income is under £30,000 annually, you may also be eligible for a grant to help make your home more energy efficient to cut your usage and save money.

Help with heating costs

The Support Community Foundation Surviving Winter Scheme can help those who are in fuel poverty with a contribution towards the cost of gas/electricity or oil heating.

Join a syndicate scheme

You can save money on your heating oil by joining a syndicate scheme, which aims to reduce the costs by combining orders into one purchase and negotiating directly with suppliers to get the best possible price.

AF Affinity makes purchasing as easy as possible for customers by offering monthly pre-payment plans that enable you to spread the cost ahead of the winter demand and make budgeting easier.

Reduce your energy usage

Turning your heating down by just 1°C will make a big difference to the amount of energy you use, and you may not feel any different. This is not only good for your wallet, but the environment too.

Visit Simple Energy Advice for more advice on how to reduce your energy usage.

Winter Fuel Payments

Pensioners can get between £100 and £300 in the winter months to help pay their energy bills.

This winter, they will also receive an extra one-off Pensioner Cost of Living Payment between £150 and £300, which will be paid as an automatic top-up to the Winter Fuel Payment.

Cold weather Payment

You could be eligible for a Cold Weather Payment of £25 extra a week if you’re getting certain benefits when the temperature is zero or below for more than 7 days.

Leave the car behind

As fuel prices continue to rise, why not consider cheaper ways of getting around where possible, such as walking, cycling or using public transport? Leaving your car at home will not only benefit your wallet, but the environment too.

Visit The Way To Go Suffolk and start planning your journey now.

Car sharing

Did you know that there are a staggering 38 million empty seats in the cars on UK roads every weekday?

Suffolk Car Share enables you to share with others travelling your way - an easy way to cut monthly fuel bills and help the environment.

Prepare for winter

There are many simple yet effective ways to insulate your home, which can significantly help reduce your energy bills.

Whether it is draft proofing or insulating, you can start preparing for winter now by making energy efficient improvements to help keep your home warm and energy bills low.

Visit Energy Saving Trust for more information.

Help with Energy Bills

Households with a domestic electricity meter will receive £400 off their energy bills from October 2022, with the discount made in 6 instalments to help with energy bills throughout the winter months.

Eligible households do not need to apply as the payments will be made automatically. The way you receive the payments will depend on how you pay for your energy.

Visit GOV.uk for more information about the Energy Bills Support Scheme.

Money and energy bills support

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charitable trust set up to support households who are struggling to pay their bills, no matter which energy company they are with.

The trust can help with free resources to ensure you’re getting the support and benefits you’re entitled to and free 1-2-1 advice on money, benefits and energy efficiency.

It also runs an Energy Debt Programme, which awards grants to households that remove energy debt, fund emergency fuel credit and provide boiler replacements.

Interest-free loan for heating oil

Eastern Savings & Loans can provide interest-free loans up to £500 for a tank of heating oil to households in East Suffolk. Loans will need to be paid back over 12 months, with monthly repayments starting from £41.

Help with water bills

Anglian Water offers tariffs for low-income households that can offer up to 50% discount on water and sewage usage.

Essex and Suffolk Water also offers ways to help, from payment breaks and low income discounts to advice on saving water which can help lower energy bills too.

Home energy check list

Useful information from National Energy Action on the financial help available and the practical steps you can take to help keep your home feeling warmer this winter.

Grants to help pay energy bills

Some energy suppliers, including EDF, E.ON Next and Ovo, are providing grants to households experiencing financial difficulties. Visit Money Saving Expert for more information.

Cheaper broadband and phone packages

If you are on certain benefits, you could be eligible for social tariff broadband and phone packages. Visit Ofcom to find out more.

Warm home hacks

A guide from Energy Saving Trust on staying warm and saving money on your energy bills this winter.

Save money on your fuel bills

Compare fuel prices across the UK to find your nearest and cheapest petrol stations by using the free cheap fuel finder tool at petrolprices.com

Can you save money on your water bill?

Could you cut down your water bills? Check now with Money Saving Expert.