Energy Information And Advice

Energy Pop Up Event!

64/2 MORVENSIDE, WESTER HAILES EH14 2SQ

 WEDNESDAY 13TH NOVEMBER 11.00AM-1.00PM

 WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE EVENT
Lots of helpful advice about energy, fuel billing, using your heating controls, and welfare benefits.

Questions or queries answered around your energy or heating your home this winter.

Givaways of things to help keep you warm this winter.

AND.... A prize draw for a chance of winning £50 to help with your energy costs!

Everyone welcome, refreshments provided. We hope to see you all there! 

Energy Advice Home Visits

Kenny McKaig and Katie McDonald are the ARCHIE Energy Advisors. They are now offering home visits to Prospect tenants to help them know more about their boiler settings. They’ve got great tips on how to use heating systems and how to cut energy bills. They can show you how your boiler works, and answer any questions you may have. They’re based at Prospect on Wednesdays. If you are a Prospect tenant, and you would like them to visit you on a Wednesday just email enquiries@prospectch.org.uk or call us on 0131 448 5480.

 We are working with other ARCHIE partners to provide energy advice to housing association tenants. This new service has helped us expand the amount of energy support we can give to tenants. ARCHIE is a partnership of independent housing associations in Edinburgh. Kenny and Katie are employed through Harbour Homes.

Warm Home Discounts

You could be eligible for a Warm Home Discount from your energy supplier of £150. If you get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, you will get this discount automatically. You could also qualify if you get certain means-tested benefits or tax credits. If you are in this group, you will need to apply to your energy supplier for the discount, even if you received it last year. Each supplier has their own scheme so you will need to check if you are eligible and if their scheme is open. The discounts are offered on a first come first served basis so make sure you check your fuel supplier’s website regularly so that you don’t miss out. GOV.UK have a list with links to companies offering the discount on their website.

Energy Prices going down: What should I do to get best value?

Energy prices are going down by around 12% from Monday 1st April 2024. The price cap is falling from £1,928 to £1,690 for a typical household. There are actions you can take that will help you take best advantage of the price drop. It will only take you 2-5 minutes and could save you money this spring. Depending on what sort of meter you have, here is what you need to do.

Normal Meters: This includes Direct Debit, Monthly or Pay Quarterly customers
To take full advantage of the price reduction, take a meter reading on Monday 1st April 2024, AND DURING THAT WEEK put in your readings to your supplier. This will mean that when the new pricing kicks in you will be billed correctly on the cheaper unit rates straight away.

Smart Meters
If you have a smart meter, the meter readings are meant to happen automatically. You will not have to do anything. However, if you have a smart meter that is not commissioned, which means your meter is not automatically sending back readings to your supplier, you need to follow the advice for the Normal Meters.

If you don't know if your smart meter is automatically sending back readings to your supplier, Citizens Advice have an online tool called Smartmetercheck that will help you check. Before you use this tool you will need the following information.

• Your Postcode
• Gas MPRN: This is your Gas Meter Point Reference Number. It will be on your gas bill. It has between 6-11 digits. Or you can use Find My Supplier.
• Electric MPAN- This is your Meter Point Administration Number. It will be on your electricity bill. If you look on your bill you will see the following table. You need the numbers on the bottom row of the table.
      
  Now go to the Smartmetercheck and follow the instructions there. The tool will check that your meters are operating in smart mode.

Prepayment Meters
If you have a traditional card and key payment meter, to take full advantage of the new prices you need to top up your meters on Monday 1st April. You just need to put at least £1 on each meter and this will bring down the pricing to the new rates from Monday. This will only work on the 1st April and not before so make sure you top up on Monday 1st April.

Energy Saving Advice

Changeworks have some helpful tips on lowering fuel bills by saving on your energy use. You can find the tips on their website.

The Edinburgh Community Food Iniative have advice on how to be energy efficient in the kitchen, with ideas on how to cook for less. You can find the information on their website. 

The Energy Savings Trust has a page of tips on saving energy on their website. They have also produced a guide with some helpful Warm Home Hacks.