Help with your energy bills

Cost of living support

If you need support with your energy bills, the following services and organisations might be able to assist you.

Remember, if you are struggling, you are not alone, and there is no shame in asking for help. Everyone needs a little bit of extra support at some point in their lives. 

Not being able to afford to heat or power your home can be very worrying and stressful. It's important to continue paying these bills, and there's help available from your supplier if you're struggling before you get into debt. Find out more from Ofgem, the independent energy regulator. 

The UK Government also has different support schemes that are available to help you with your energy bills.  

We also have a page dedicated to financial support, which signposts you to resources that will help check you're claiming all the benefits you're entitled to.
 

Energy grants available 

The Future Fit programme, a partnership between us and the Plymouth Energy Community (PEC), will see £4 million of government funding distributed to up to 300 eligible homes in the city. 

The money will be spent on improvements such as wall, floor and loft insulation; getting rid of draughts; help with heating controls; installing solar panels and replacing off-the-grid gas heating systems. Visit PEC's eligibility checker to see if improvements can be funded for your home. 
 

Tips to save energy 

There are lots of small actions you can take to help save energy and cut your energy bills:  

• Turn appliances off standby mode  
• Turn off lights when you're not using them, or when you leave a room 
• Replace the lights in your home with LED bulbs 
• Wash your clothes in cooler water (for example, switch to a 30 degree wash)  
• Turn your thermostat down - even just turning it down by one degree could help cut bills by around four per cent, according to Money Saving Expert  
• Draught-proof your windows and doors - the Energy Saving Trust has useful tips
• Reduce how long you spend in the shower  
• Avoid overfilling the kettle and only boil the amount of water you need  
• If you have a dishwasher, only run it when it's full  
• Use the 'eco' setting on appliances like your dishwasher, washing machine or boiler 
• Unplug your charger once a device, like your phone or laptop, is fully charged 
• Use the microwave instead of the oven if you can when cooking  

The Energy Saving Trust has useful tips for how to save energy on a budget. 

Transforming Plymouth Together also has a range of useful energy-saving tips, including recipes for meals that require no cooking or use cheaper methods. 

Citizens Advice Plymouth has an easy-read guide to energy efficiency, with useful top tips.

Find out what benefits and financial support you may be able to get

Use the government's online tool to find out what support you might be able to get to help with your living costs. You can get benefits and other financial support if you're eligible.

Check what benefits and financial support you can get

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• Cost of living support
• Heating and energy support
• Food and shopping support
• Money and financial support
• Housing and homelessness support
• Mental health support
• Employment and training support
• Children, young people and families
• Help and support for carers
• Warm and welcoming spaces
• Free internet and wi-fi access support
• Travel and transport
• Help from the government - view all of the cost of living support schemes that you could be eligible for and apply today

How to submit an organisation or community group to this website

If you are an organisation or community group and can help support people living in Plymouth, please complete our online form, and we will add you to this directory.

Submit your offer of help and support 

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