Advice to help you stay warm & save

A family made up of a father, mother and child sit at a table together with a laptop in front of them.

As the temperatures begin to drop, now’s the perfect time to think about keeping your home cosy while keeping energy costs under control. We’re here with practical tips to help you stay warm, comfortable and energy-efficient this season.

Not sure what your energy bill means?

It is important to check your energy bills each time you receive one. Checking your energy bill helps you understand exactly what you're paying for and spot any mistakes or unexpected charges. It also shows how much energy you're using, so you can make smarter choices and avoid overpaying.

Our bill breakdown goes through the important information on your bill in detail.

Want to switch energy suppliers or tariffs?

Switching energy tariffs or suppliers could save you money on your energy bills.

As energy prices can go up and down - suppliers offer varying rates, discounts, and fixed-term deals that could be more affordable than your current rate.

On a fixed rate tariff, you will pay a set price for each unit of energy you use. This means that even if market energy prices go up or down, what you pay per unit will remain the same throughout your contract. You may have to pay a fee, called an ‘exit fee’,  if you switch tariffs or suppliers before your fixed rate tariff ends.

On a standard variable tariff, the rate you pay per unit of energy will go up and down with the price of energy. You won’t have to pay an exit fee if you switch tariffs.

You should choose your energy tariff based on how much energy you use and your own circumstances. There are a few things you should think about before switching, like if you will need to pay exit fees and if you have the right kind of meter. 

Compare your current suppliers’ tariffs with other suppliers’ tariffs using a price comparison website. You can find a list of price comparison websites on Ofgem’s website.

If you are switching energy suppliers, it’s a good idea to compare the customer service ratings of different energy suppliers.

If you’re struggling to pay your bills

If you’re struggling to pay your gas and electricity bills, there’s help available.

Speak to your supplier as soon as you can. Your supplier has to help you come to a solution - putting you on a repayment plan that takes into account how much you can afford to pay.

If you have a prepayment meter

If you’ve run out of gas or electricity, your energy supplier might add emergency credit to your meter automatically - if they don’t, you should ask for it as soon as you can. You can contact your supplier to find out how to get emergency credit.

If you run out of emergency credit and are still struggling to top up, some suppliers may be able to give you additional support credit if you ask them.

You will have to pay any emergency or additional support credit back.

Check if you can get a fuel voucher

Your local council might be able to help you get a fuel voucher - find your local council on GOV.UK.

You'll get the voucher as a code in a letter, text message or email. You can use it to add credit to your gas card or electricity key.

Make sure you check your fuel voucher to see when it expires, as you might need to use it within 15 days. If you have problems using your voucher, contact the organisation that gave it to you, not your energy supplier.

If you’re still not sure if you can get a voucher, get help from an adviser.

Get help to pay off energy debt

Energy arrears are a ‘priority debt’. Priority debts are debts that can cause serious problems if you don’t do anything about them. If you have more than one debt, find out which debts to pay first.

If you owe money to your energy supplier, you might be able to get a grant to help you pay off your debt. This could be from your energy company or a charitable trust.

The following energy suppliers offer grants to their customers:

If your supplier isn’t listed, it’s a good idea to contact them directly to see what extra support they can give you.

If you can’t get a grant from your supplier, you might be able to get a grant from the British Gas Energy Trust. You’ll need to get debt advice before applying - talk to an adviser.

For more information about grants from charitable trusts, visit turn2us.org.uk/get-support.

Saving energy at home

You might be able to save on your energy bills by using less energy.

There are quick and simple things you can do - for example:

  • Check your central heating controls so you stay warm but use less energy

  • Check the cost of running your electrical appliances so you can decide how best to use them

You can find more tips for saving energy when heating your home, and using your electrical appliances here.

If you need extra support from your energy supplier

If you find it hard to deal with your energy supply you could get extra help from your energy companies, such as moving your prepayment meter if you find it difficult to get to.

You'll normally be able to get priority services from your energy companies if you're disabled or have a long-term health condition. This includes hearing, sight and mental health conditions. Your supplier might also agree to sign you up for priority services if you:

  • Have children under 5 or are pregnant

  • Would struggle to answer the door or get help in an emergency

  • Are recovering from an injury

  • Struggle with speaking or reading English

  • Have reached State Pension age

  • Have no sense of smell or would struggle to smell gas

If your situation isn't listed, you might still be able to sign up for priority services for other reasons - for example, if you're recently bereaved.

You can sign up by going to thepsr.co.uk and entering your postcode - this will provide links to the forms you need to complete for both your gas and electricity supply.

Where to go for help

If you’re having difficulty taking the steps outlined on this page, you can call our consumer helpline for advice on energy on 0808 223 1133.

You can contact a Welsh-speaking adviser on 0808 223 1144.

Our helplines are available 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday. They’re not available on public holidays and calls are free from mobiles and landlines.

Find out how else you can contact our consumer helpline for advice on energy here.

Last updated: September 2026