Energy Suppliers

Energy suppliers have set out detail on support for household, including

The Affinity Water WaterSure scheme works by capping your charges, so additional water usage is not chargeable. Find out if you are eligible and apply online.

Government's £150 Energy Rebate

If you are in Council Tax Band A - D and have not applied for the energy rebate this will be applied to your Council Tax account by the end of September.

If you are in Council Tax Band E - H the discretionary scheme is open for applications and closes at midnight on 16 September.

Support with energy bills

Households will get £400 of support with their energy bills through an expansion of the Energy Bills Support Scheme. This replaces the £200 announced earlier this year. The £400 payment will now be made as a grant and will not be recovered through higher bills in future years. Households with meters will get the support over 6 months from October 2022.

Fixed monthly direct debit: Some providers will deduct money from each monthly bill, meaning customers will pay slightly less. Other providers will refund the money back to the customer after the monthly payment has been made.

Monthly bills based on what you use: Some providers will take money off the bill, effectively as a discount. Others are applying a credit, which will likewise reduce the total bill.

Smart prepayment meter: Suppliers will add credit automatically to the customers meter.

Traditional prepayment meter, topped-up at a shop: For these customers, vouchers will be sent by post, email or text, and can be redeemed with the Post Office and at PayPoint stores. For most suppliers, the voucher should arrive in the post by 17th of each month and is only valid for 90 days.

Further information can be found on the Gov.uk website | £400 energy bills discount to support households this winter.

In September 2022, the Government announced the Energy Price Guarantee, which will reduce the unit cost of electricity and gas so that a typical household in Great Britain pays, on average, around £2,500 a year on their energy bill, from 1 October 2022. Further details about the Guarantee are available from the Government’s Energy Bill’s Support Factsheet.

Following the Autumn Budget Statement, the Government has announced that from April 2023 the typical household will now pay on average £3,000 a year.

Support for Businesses

The Government also announced a new Energy Bill Relief Scheme for businesses, charities and public sector organisations. The scheme will cover energy use for 6 months from 1 October 2022 to 31 March 2023. For further details please visit the Government Energy Bill Relief Scheme website.

Cutting Energy Costs

Tips that may help to lower your energy bills:

Find ways to improve energy efficiency in your way

A handy guide from Bulb on simple way to save energy at home

Advice from the BBC about practical techniques you can use at home

The Hertfordshire Energy Advice Tool (HEAT) app gives a virtual tour around a typical home and suggests quick and easy actions to help you save money on your bills. Typical savings are upwards of £75 and you can download it free from:

Highlights