{"id":67565,"date":"2023-10-03T08:59:24","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T08:59:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/?p=67565"},"modified":"2023-10-03T08:59:24","modified_gmt":"2023-10-03T08:59:24","slug":"full-list-of-energy-freebies-including-electric-blankets-and-boilers-you-can-get-to-help-slash-bills-this-winter-the-sun","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newcelebworld.com\/lifestyle\/full-list-of-energy-freebies-including-electric-blankets-and-boilers-you-can-get-to-help-slash-bills-this-winter-the-sun\/","title":{"rendered":"Full list of energy freebies including electric blankets and boilers you can get to help slash bills this winter | The Sun"},"content":{"rendered":"

WINTER is coming, and while millions have seen their energy bills drop, these freebies will help to lower costs even further.<\/p>\n

Bills have fallen by \u00a3151 a year since the new energy price cap came into force on Sunday.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

But most households will still feel poorer as the support the Government offered last winter\u00a0is not returning this time.<\/p>\n

Bill payers might not know that they could qualify for a number of energy-saving freebies – and it could cut their costs by hundreds of pounds a year.<\/p>\n

From electric blankets to solar panels, we explain who is eligible, and how to apply, for the handy money-saving measures.<\/p>\n

Energy grants<\/h2>\n

Most energy suppliers have a discretionary grant scheme to help support their most vulnerable customers.<\/p>\n

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Grants vary by supplier and, of course, the exact amount you'll get will depend on your own financial circumstances.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0British Gas\u00a0Energy\u00a0Support Fund provides grants to customers who are struggling to pay their\u00a0bills.<\/p>\n

Any British\u00a0Gas\u00a0or Scottish Gas energy customer who is struggling to pay their energy bill and has sought\u00a0money\u00a0and energy advice is eligible to apply for the support.<\/p>\n

Successful applicants could get a grant worth up to \u00a31,500 to help with debts.<\/p>\n

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However, another fund offered by the same firm can help support customers at other suppliers.<\/p>\n

The British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund also offer grants worth up to \u00a31,500.<\/p>\n

You do not need to be a British Gas customer to apply for this fund \u2013 you can be a British Gas customer or a customer from another supplier.<\/p>\n

EDF, Eon, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power also offer cash grants of their own too.<\/p>\n

Free electric blankets and smart tech<\/h2>\n

Octopus Energy has continued dishing out free electric blankets to help customers keep warm while bills stay high.<\/p>\n

Blankets are usually only available to people who benefit from them most.<\/p>\n

This is likely to include elderly people, or those with specific medical conditions which make them immobile, very unwell, or feel cold.<\/p>\n

Contact Octopus to find out if you're eligible.<\/p>\n

Ovo Energy customers who sign up for the company's Power Move scheme can get two free smart plugs that let you remotely control whatever\u2019s plugged into them.<\/p>\n

The scheme pays eligible customers \u00a310 a month if they reduce their energy consumption during peak times.<\/p>\n

Those taking part in its\u00a0Power Move scheme\u00a0will need to cut their usage between the peak hours of 4pm-7pm to less than 12.5%.<\/p>\n

That's the equivalent of moving\u00a0four loads of washing\u00a0each week from on-peak to off-peak hours.<\/p>\n

Or three\u00a0dishwasher\u00a0loads to later on in the evening.<\/p>\n

Free boiler<\/h2>\n

You could get a brand new boiler installed free of charge from your energy company if you are on a low income, or considered a vulnerable customer.<\/p>\n

Some suppliers are offering the freebie, and the eligibility criteria may vary.<\/p>\n

British Gas, EDF Energy, Scottish Power, and Ovo Energy all offer versions of this support.<\/p>\n

However not many providers let you apply online, so you need to call directly to get started.<\/p>\n

There are other ways to get help towards getting a new boiler – but it might not cover all the costs.<\/p>\n

Right now, you can\u00a0get a \u00a35,000 grant\u00a0under the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme, but this figure will be boosted to \u00a37,500 in the coming months.<\/p>\n

You don't apply for the scheme yourself.<\/p>\n

Instead, you will need to find an MSC-certified installer to claim the grant on your behalf.<\/p>\n

MSC is the certification scheme for energy efficiency product installers and you can find the nearest ones to you on the\u00a0MSC website.<\/p>\n

Free solar panels<\/h2>\n

Some councils give\u00a0low-income households\u00a0money to put towards making their home greener.<\/p>\n

If you meet the right eligibility criteria you will be able to have your home fitted with measures that could save hundreds on your energy bills, all free of charge.<\/p>\n

Some councils offer households grants to install solar panels, which can\u00a0cost around \u00a36,000.<\/p>\n

The Sun spoke to pensioner Gareth Hodgson, who applied for tens of thousands of pounds of\u00a0free home improvements\u00a0that have\u00a0nearly halved his bills.<\/p>\n

The help you can get from your local council varies depending on a number of factors including your personal circumstances.<\/p>\n

In most areas, homeowners must have a total income of less than \u00a330,000\u00a0to get the help.<\/p>\n

Your home must have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G for you to be eligible too.<\/p>\n

Check to see what your local council has on offer.<\/p>\n

Free energy-efficient showerhead<\/h2>\n

It's not just energy suppliers giving out freebies to help with your energy bills.<\/p>\n

Water companies are giving out free water – and energy-saving gadgets like regulated shower heads worth \u00a320.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Energy Saving Trust\u00a0says switching to a water-efficient shower head reduces hot water usage and could save a family of four on a water meter a total of \u00a3195 on their\u00a0water and energy bills.<\/p>\n

This is because less energy is needed to pump, heat and treat the water<\/p>\n

But this will vary depending on your supplier and your usage.<\/p>\n

You will need to visit the\u00a0Save Money Save Water\u00a0website where you will then need to fill in a short survey about your water usage.<\/p>\n

It will ask questions such how many people live in your home, how many showers you take a week as a household and if you\u00a0water your garden.<\/p>\n

After filling out the survey, you will be redirected to your water supplier's website to claim the freebie.<\/p>\n

Whether you can get the shower head for free depends on where you live as not all water companies offer them.<\/p>\n

Anglian,\u00a0Essex & Suffolk,\u00a0Northumbrian\u00a0or\u00a0Thames Water\u00a0aren't part of Save Water Save Money's promotion, but you can sometimes get the freebies if you go directly to their websites.<\/p>\n

Household Support Fund<\/h2>\n

The\u00a0Household Support Fund\u00a0is worth \u00a3842million and has been shared between councils in England.<\/p>\n

They are then deciding how to distribute their share of the fund, which means what you can get varies depending on where you live.<\/p>\n

In most cases, support is offered to those on low incomes or benefits.<\/p>\n

Either way, you will need to apply through your local council, which you can find by using the Government's council locator tool.<\/p>\n

Some households have received\u00a0vouchers to help pay for energy bills\u00a0while other local authorities\u00a0have transferred money directly into residents' bank accounts.<\/p>\n

The latest batch of funding has to be allocated by councils by March 31, 2024.<\/p>\n

Winter fuel payment<\/h2>\n

Thousands of pensioners eligible\u00a0for the winter fuel payment\u00a0will receive \u00a3300 top-up from the Government this year.<\/p>\n

The winter fuel payment is made to households with someone born before a certain date.<\/p>\n

This year, it is being made to every household with someone born before September 25, 1957.<\/p>\n

But on top of the regular payment, the Government is topping it up with a \u00a3150 or \u00a3300 pensioner cost of living payment, meaning you could receive up to \u00a3600 in total.<\/p>\n

In most cases, you won't have to apply and the payment will be made automatically from November.<\/p>\n

Cold weather payment<\/h2>\n

Cold weather payments\u00a0are made to hard-up households to help cover the cost of higher energy bills during cold snaps.<\/p>\n

Eligible households receive \u00a325 for every seven-day period where temperatures are below zero degrees.<\/p>\n

The money is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.<\/p>\n

The scheme runs between November 1 and March 31 but you don't have to apply and will receive the payments automatically if you are eligible.<\/p>\n

To qualify for a winter fuel payment you must be receiving one of the following benefits:<\/p>\n