Due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak it has been necessary to cancel all of our planned energy events and home survey visits. Although we are not conducting them at present, we are still available to offer advice and guidance if you are struggling to pay your energy bills.
Please get in touch with us on 07957 779 623 (Annette) or 07494 572 153 (Diana).
We can direct you to:
- Personal advice to make your home warmer and more energy efficient
- Getting your home properly insulated, including draught proofing
- Practical help, assistance and advice on switching energy supplier which could save you hundreds of pounds
- SMART meters – what’s all the fuss about? We explain the benefits and myths
- Grants and benefits – you might be surprised to qualify for them
- Emergency repairs to boilers and heating *
- Community oil buying – how your neighbourhood can save money by buying together
- An emergency fuel payment *
- Loans of temporary heaters in an emergency
- FREE first time central heating installation for homes which have never had a boiler and radiators *
(*conditions apply)
Scam Green Grant Calls – 8th July
Within hours of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, announcing the Green Grant available for homeowners, there were reports of scam telephone calls from bogus companies advising that the recipient is eligible for the grant.
If you receive such a call, HANG UP. Do not give the caller any personal details.
The scheme is not due to start until September, and so any calls related to the Government announcement will be be a scam. The rollout of the scheme will be run locally and details of how to apply will be provided.
Please report all scams to Suffolk Trading Standards via 0808 223 1133.
Government agrees measures with energy industry to support vulnerable people through COVID-19 – 19th March
Important News for people with Pre-Payment Meters who are concerned they may not be able to add credit during the coronavirus pandemic can be found on the GOV.UK website: (link to the full article here)
“New emergency measures with the energy industry have been agreed by the government to protect the domestic energy supply of those most in need during the disruption caused by COVID-19. Customers with pre-payment meters who may not be able to add credit can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied. This will benefit over 4 million customers.
This could include nominating a third party for credit top ups, having a discretionary fund added to their credit, or being sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their supply is not interrupted. More broadly, any energy customer in financial distress will also be supported by their supplier, which could include debt repayments and bill payments being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary, while disconnection of credit meters will be completely suspended….
…Customers that are unable to top up their pre-payment meter are advised to contact their supplier immediately to discuss how they can be kept on supply. Ofgem recommends consumers leave the meter box unlocked if they need someone else to top up the meter. Smart meter customers should be able to top-up remotely, such as by phone, mobile application or online.”
This could mean that larger volumes of customers than usual will be trying to get through on the phone, so please be prepared for a larger than usual phone ‘queue.’
Ofgem‘s Coronavirus (COVID-19) and your energy supply page also has advice on managing your energy supply during the outbreak, including what to do
- if you have an energy problem (e.g. power cut, gas leak or energy meter problem)
- if a supplier or network company needs to access your property and you are self-isolating
- if you are struggling to pay your bills
- regarding approaching your supplier about pre-payment concerns.
This could mean that larger volumes of customers than usual will be trying to get through on the phone, so please be prepared for a larger than usual phone ‘queue.’
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