How you can get help
If you think you are worried about keeping warm or paying your fuel bills here are some ways you can get help:
- contact the Council's Healthy Green Homes team (formerly known as Affordable Warmth Service) on 0151 934 2222;
- call the local Energy Advice Freephone line on 0800 043 0151 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm);
- fill out this form to ask for help.
Priority Services Register
People in vulnerable situations are able to get free support and extra help through the Priority Services Register.
Find out more about the Priority Services Register here.
Energy Bills Support Scheme- Alternative Fund
The Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Funding (EBSS AF) is providing support of £400 for energy bills for households in England, Scotland, and Wales without a direct relationship to a domestic electricity supplier.
You can find out more about the Energy Bills Support Scheme Alternative Fund and how to apply here.
Help to save money and reduce gas, electricity and water bills
With the energy price rises everyone will be looking at ways to increase income and reduce utility bills.
Here are some ways that may help;
- Ensure you are receiving all the benefits you are entitled to. Many support services, including our Welfare Rights Team .
For more information or to book a face to face appointment call 0151 934 3660 or by email.
The Welfare Rights Advice Line is available on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 10.00 am-12.30 pm. - Speak to your energy supplier:
- You may qualify for Warm Homes Discount, which is due to re-open in November.
- Ask about smart meters – they help you to monitor energy usage in your home, which may help you to save money.
- They may be able to help with debt and manageable repayment plans.
- Could you save money with a water meter? If you have more bedrooms than people living at the property, you are likely to save money. You can trial a water meter for two years to see if it benefits you. You can
- find out more here
- call United Utilities on 0345 072 6065.
- Emergency credit – If you are on a pre-payment meter you may qualify for an emergency top up voucher (subject to availability) You can:
- Find out more here
- contact 0151 934 2222.
- call the local Energy Advice Freephone line on 0800 043 0151 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm);
- contact the national fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA)
You can call National Energy Action on 0800 304 7159, Monday to Friday 10.00 am to 12.00 noon. - Debt and money management advice is available from the Greater Merseyside Money Advice Partnership
Using less electricity and gas
Things Citizen's Advise recommend to help you use less electricity and gas are:
- run your washing machine at 30 degrees and make sure you wash a full load when you can;
- use LED or other energy-efficient light bulbs;
- turn off plug sockets at the wall if you’re not using them;
- close your curtains in the evening to keep in heat when it’s cold;
- make sure your fridge is set between 3 and 5 degrees and defrost your freezer regularly;
- if you have one, use your tumble dryer less, - try to dry your clothes outside or by an open window instead.
Energy Advice
Energy Projects Plus is a charity that manages the local Energy Advice Line.
They offer Sefton residents free and impartial advice on
- the latest grants and discounts available;
- energy efficiency around the home;
- renewable energy and information about .
To find out more, or to refer yourself to their service, call the Save Energy Advice Line free on 0800 043 0151 (open Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).
Or you can email advice@epplus.org, or use their contact form to request a call back from an energy advisor.
Saving Energy
There are many simple actions that you take in the home that will help save you energy and money, as well as reducing green house gases, such as carbon dioxide. These include:
- insulating your loft and walls;
- draught proofing and installing an A-Rated central heating boiler.
Making your home more energy efficient could save you around 25% per year on your household energy bills but we are aware it requires the up-front cost of installing the measures. It can also reduce your carbon dioxide emissions by up to two tonnes.