MILLIONS of house-holds are facing an awful April as the squeeze on our finances tightens.
On Friday, April 1, homes will see their heating and lighting bills DOUBLE to an average of £1,971.
4
Yesterday, the Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, dashed hopes that the Government might give hard-up consumers extra help with rising prices.
Mr Sunak said he would wait until the autumn before deciding whether to fund more money off bills.
Despite being under massive pressure to do more to help families facing the biggest fall in living standards since the 1950s, Mr Sunak told the Commons’ Treasury Committee: “It clearly is very difficult today to speculate on energy prices in the autumn.
“Let’s wait until we get there.”
But if, like many, you can’t wait that long, our Squeeze Team experts are here to help.
We have ten things you could do NOW to help ease the pain of price rises.
Take meter reading on March 31
IF you pay by direct debit, take a meter reading tomorrow and send it to your supplier – before the price cap rises.
Fuel bills are typically based on estimated energy use.
Most read in Money
But giving your supplier accurate gas and leccy readings means you will not be charged at the new, higher rate for the energy you used leading up to April 1.
Energyhelpline.com consumer champion Tashema Jackson says: “You shouldn’t have to pay more for your energy just because you’ve had one or two high readings during the winter.”
Check your boiler’s settings
4
A QUICK boiler tweak could save you nearly £100 a month, reckons Tashema Jackson.
The trick works if you have a combi boiler – the most common type, which provides both water and also heats your home.
Check the flow settings on the boiler. Many boilers are set to a default temperature of 80C.
Lowering those settings to 50C for your hot water and 55C for your heating should save you a packet on fuel, as the boiler will use less gas. Tashema says: “It’s an easy and quick way to cut soaring bills.”
Bleed your home’s radiators
ENERGY expert Myles Robinson, of Boiler Central, says households can save cash by bleeding the radiators, especially if if they are making gurgling noises.
Myles says: “Radiators with trapped air fail to circulate heat properly, meaning you pay full price for heating without getting the right amount of warmth in return.”
To bleed your radiators, you need a radiator key or a flat-blade screwdriver to turn the valve.
A hissing sound is a sign that trapped air is escaping. Your radiators should now warm up more efficiently.
Apply to Household Support Fund
CASH aid and vouchers are available from your local council as part of the Household Support Fund.
Martyn James says: “You may be able to get free cash and vouchers to help pay for things such as heating your home or to cover costs of your weekly grocery shop.”
You apply through your local council. Find yours at gov.uk/find-local-council.
Martyn adds: “It’s a bit of a postcode lottery, as your local council will decide how much is allocated and to whom. But don’t delay. Apply anyway.”
See what benefits you can get
USE a benefits calculator to determine what handouts you can claim.
What you are entitled to depends on your financial circumstances.
Anna Stevenson, of anti-poverty charity Turn2us, says: “You may be able to get help with heating costs, council tax or even mortgage payments, which can make all the difference.”
The charity has a tool to help you work out what means-tested benefits you might be entitled to, plus whether you qualify for carer’s allowance.
Fill your freezer
4
MAKE sure your freezer is full. It uses more energy if it is not, Tashema Jackson warns.
Empty space could be driving up your energy bills because your freezer needs more power to keep it cool. Tashema says: “Some people use bottles with some water in to make their freezer full.”
Do a money makeover
A QUICK money makeover will help you prepare for higher bills.
Martyn James says: “Writing down how much you need to pay out each month is a good way to budget.”
Cross-check your total outgoings against your income then see where you could make cutbacks if necessary, reducing your spending on non-essential items.
Consumer rights expert Martyn adds: “Taking just 20 minutes to have a good look at your finances is worth doing, even if it just means knowing what help you are going to need.”
Draught-proof on the cheap
4
YOU don’t need to spend loads draught-proofing your home, there are easy and affordable ways to stop heat escaping.
Tashema Jackson says: “You can buy cheap insulation from DIY stores and put it up around your windows to keep the heat in. For any draughts coming through your doors, roll up old towels and put them up against gaps.”
Apply for an energy grant or cash help
ENERGY companies have charities and grants that offer help to people struggling to pay their bills.
Anna Stevenson says: “If you’re struggling to pay your bill, your supplier may have a scheme that helps. If you claim Universal Credit you have a good chance of being eligible, but anyone struggling to pay bills could qualify.”
Ask your supplier what is on offer and how to apply.
Turn2us has a tool for tracking down charitable grants. You can find it at grants-search.turn2us.org.uk.
