AN ENERGY expert has revealed his top tips to help Brits avoid blackouts this winter – and claims it will cut your bill too.
Potential gas shortages could plunge the country into chaos in the colder months, industry giants have warned.
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In a massive blow to struggling households, the price cap is expected to soar from £1,971 to a grim record of £3,244 this October.
Brits will have to budget thanks to it rising by a whopping 64 per cent in just six months.
And the price cap is expected to go up again next January to £3,363 a year.
Six million homes could face power cuts this winter if Russia cuts off more energy supplies to the EU, seeing the government scramble to implement a crisis plan.
Russia is one the world’s largest producers of oil, but the UK’s reliance on the country’s output is far less significant than its neighbours.
UK National Infrastructure Commission Chairman Sir John Armitt says the public need to slash their energy consumption to avoid being left in the dark.
He urged families to reevaluate their daily habits to help reduce the reliance on gas, claiming it can cut your energy bills too.
Sir John told The Telegraph the first step is for Brits to turn down their thermostats in the colder months.
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And he believes restricting household tasks such as cooking and using appliances at peak times – between 6pm and 8pm – could be the country’s only chance at redemption.
The infrastructure tsar explained: “In the first place they should have a PR exercise to say please cut back on usage as far as you are able.
“People will have to shift their cooking patterns. ‘Do we need to heat our homes at 21C or is it more efficient to have a steady lower temperature?’
“The Government could ask people to turn down their thermostats.
“I’d be amazed if the Government didn’t do this at some point this winter.'”
Sir John described calling on the public to reduce energy usage as “the responsible thing to do.”
He added: “Treat the public like grownups and be open about the challenge and how we can all help.”
GLOBAL CRACKDOWN
Energy providers can charge customers cheaper rates during off-peak times, depending on your tariff.
It comes amid an international crackdown on excessive energy use, with millions of people told to ration their consumption.
In Japan, households and businesses have been told to switch off lights and air conditioning that is running unnecessarily.
Authorities in Germany are also switching off swimming pools while housing associations are limiting hot water.
Locals have also been encouraged to take shorter showers to ensure there is an energy stockpile for the winter.
Every household in the UK will be given £400 to help cover spiralling energy bills, which are set to rise by hundreds of pounds more this winter.
Pensioners will get an extra £300 one-off payment during the coldest months, and six million people with disabilities will receive £150 in September.
What other help can I get with my energy bills?
There are still plenty of other schemes and hacks you can try to help you balance your bills.
For example, The Household Support Fund is helping those on low income pay for essentials and bills.
What you get depends on which council area you’re in, because they all give out money in different ways.
For example, Birmingham is lending a free £200 in cash to help with food and bills.
To check if you’re eligible and what you could get, call up your local council.
You could also be eligible for a £150 council tax rebate.
This is some extra cash to land in your account if you fall under council tax bands A-D. And you don’t need to pay it back.
And even if you’re in bands E-H, you could still grab £150 free cash. Do note that you’ll need to apply for this though, and the deadline ends on September 30, 2022.
If you’re on Universal Credit, you may be eligible for a £650 cost of living payment.
The extra cash is being dished out on a £15billion emergency package for low income households.
More than eight million households will receive the help, which will be paid in two instalments.
The first instalment is worth £326 and will land in bank accounts from 14 July – payments will be staggered from there.
But the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) say applicants may not receive money at the same time.
The DWP says it’s because there are millions of payments that need to go out and they can’t all be processed on a single day.
And there’s also a scheme for pensioners to get an extra £300 in winter fuel discount.
A £2.5billion pot of cash will go to older households to help them heat their homes this winter.
