How to help protect yourself against the rise in energy bills

How to help protect yourself against the rise in energy bills

The sharp increases in the wholesale cost of gas and electricity are naturally going to have a significant impact on your energy bills, especially as we come into the Winter period, as well as directly affecting your service charge.

In late 2021, C&C entered into new contracts for gas and electricity suppliers, fixing our prices until Easter 2023 and therefore helping to protect residents against the price rises over this winter period. However, the cost we pay is impacted by the amount of energy used at each scheme, and therefore urge all residents to consider energy usage around the scheme as well as in your own home.

If you are struggling with your bills and believe we can support you, please call 0207 922 5300 or complete the simple form on our website.

What you can do to keep rising costs down

• Claim the Winter Fuel Allowance and Warm Home Discount if you are eligible.  You should receive this automatically if you receive the State Pension or certain social security benefits, but there are some circumstances where those receiving other benefits may be able to make a claim. The gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment website carries more details on this.
• Don't leave kitchen appliances on standby.

• Defrost your fridge freezer regularly – as they otherwise use more power than they should.
• Use the right sized pan to cook with; don't use more heat than you need to.
• Boil only as much water as you need.
• Only run your washing machine on a full load. Use the half load setting if you only have a few items; while economy settings or 30° also uses less heat.
• If you are able to, have a shower rather than a bath as they are faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
• Check if your radiators need bleeding - this removes trapped air that would stop them working as efficiently as they should.
• Shut curtains, as this can help keep rooms warm.
• Use energy saving lightbulbs such as LEDs - these use 90% less energy and could reduce electricity bills significantly.

What C&C is doing to help:

• Our income support team has already helped residents receive several thousand pounds in benefits. If you think they may be able to help you, please call 0207 922 5300 or complete the form on our website: ccht.org.uk/for-residents/benefits-advice/.
• We fixed our prices with our gas and energy suppliers until Easter 2023.
• We are working hard to ensure that communal spaces are working as energy-efficiently as possible. (can we add examples?)
• Our repairs team are on hand to help if you have heating or hot water problems, or indeed a variety of other repairs needed. We have made it even easier to contact the team via a form on the C&C website. You can also call 0800 121 8742 (Mon-Fri 9am-5pm) or our emergency repairs line outside of these hours on 0800 533 5719.

There are a variety of external organisations offering tips to cut your electricity bill (for those residents who have their own supplier in addition to C&C’s central offering). These can be found below:

Moneysupermarket: article on how to avoid fuel poverty.

Money Saving Expert: has a special page on energy bills including its ‘Cheap Energy Club’ for those aiming to cut their bills.

This is Money: several articles related to keeping bills lower.

Green Camden Helpline: for advice on savings energy, dealing with fuel debt etc). Call 0800 801 738 (free phone Mon-Fri 9am-5pm).

SHINE energy advice service: for keeping warm and reducing anxiety of large fuel bills. Call 0300 555 0195 or contact@shine-london.org.uk

Citizens Advice: for residents with their own electricity supply in addition to C&C’s communal supplies, you may find these tips helpful in terms of getting support from your energy supplier.

Ofgem: you may be eligible to be added to the Priority Services Register, meaning your energy supplier would give you extra support in the event of power cuts or emergency supply issues.

EDF: useful information about gas safety and knowing your rights in the energy market.