Online guide to understanding your fuel bills

[wolfman]

The Council and its partners are helping Stockport residents make sense of confusing fuel bills, by offering advice and support on how to understand what the bills mean.
 
 
 
As part of the ‘Kill the Chill’ campaign, the Council has provided a useful online guide to understanding energy bills and how to effectively read gas and electricity meters.

The guide, which can be accessed by visiting www.stockport.gov.uk/energyefficiency (free internet access is available at all Stockport libraries), has been produced by the Council’s Home Energy team and includes a selection of useful tips which can help reduce fuel bills and save energy. They include:


Read your meters often and ring your readings through to your supplier. Most suppliers offer on-line services too;

Carry out an energy audit on your home. This can include adjusting the settings on your heating controls, checking the age and efficiency of your boiler, using energy saving light bulbs and making sure no electrical items are left on standby;

Ring your energy supplier to check you are on the best tariff. Many older people and vulnerable groups are unaware that they are eligible for discounted social tariffs that are offered by energy companies;

Consider changing supplier to see if you have the best deal possible. Also make sure you contact your current supplier and tell them what you have been offered – they may match or even beat the deal you've been offered;

Ask your energy supplier if they offer energy monitors. These are small screens that tell you how much your electrical usage is at any one time.
Councillor Maggie Clay, Executive Member for Adults & Health at Stockport Council, said: “This online guide will provide a really useful tool that will help people make sense of confusing energy bills. At a time when everyone is finding it hard to make ends meet, it’s vital that people manage their fuel bills effectively, stay in control of their finances and get the help and advice they need to cover the costs of heating their homes.”

For more information contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512 012. Alternatively, send an email to energy.efficiency@stockport.gov.uk. More information on the ‘Kill the Chill’ campaign can be found by visiting www.stockport.gov.uk/killthechill.
 
 
 
from Stockport.gov author unknown