Are you worried about your energy bills rising? Find out what help's available to you if you’re concerned about paying bills or missing a payment.

Best ways to save on gas and electricity

Energy bills are very high at the moment, but there are a few things you can do to keep your costs as low as possible.

Understand your energy bill

It’s important to review your energy bills to stay informed, be in control and make sure you're not overpaying. Learn what’s included, what to look for on your energy bill, and how to take accurate meter readings on Energy Saving Trust. In England you can call Better Housing Better Health for help understanding your bill.

Pay by Direct Debit

It’s usually cheaper to pay by Direct Debit and it will mean you won’t have to worry about missing payments.

Use less

It sounds obvious, but the less energy you use the lower your bills will be. There are plenty of tips and tricks you can use to cut your use. Here are some quick ideas to help you cut back: 

• Close your curtains and use draft excluders to stop heat escaping.

• Use your washing machine or dishwasher at a lower temperature, or run them on the ‘eco’ setting – and avoid putting the washing on when you don’t have a full load.

• Get into the habit of switching off lights when you leave a room and switching off electrical items instead of leaving them on standby. 

Make your home more energy efficient

Spending a little to save a lot is a good investment – especially if you don’t have to spend your own money. There are lots of grants available, including the Green Deal in England, Scotland and Wales. This helps improve your home’s energy efficiency such as:

• improving your insulation

• upgrading your boiler and appliances

• installing solar panels or other green technologies.

These improvements could help you save you hundreds of pounds a year. Even if you don’t qualify for a grant, these investments should help you start saving money quite quickly.

Switch energy suppliers

It’s worth checking if you can get cheaper energy bills by switching supplier or tariff (the deal you’re on).  

You can compare energy deals using comparison sites, like: 

• MoneySavingExpert’s Cheap Energy Club
• Which?

The comparison sites listed above only work in England, Scotland and Wales, if you’re in Northern Ireland you can find more information about the suppliers you can switch to on Which? It’s usually cheaper to pay by monthly Direct Debit, rather than cash or cheque.

What is a prepayment meter?

A prepayment meter (PPM) works like a ‘pay-as-you-go’ tariff for gas or electricity. You need to pay for energy before you can use it by adding credit to your meter.

You usually get a smart card or a token which you can top up online, by phone or at a PayPoint, PayZone or Post Office.

Some energy suppliers also allow you to add credit to your PPM via a mobile phone app. Citizens Advice has help if you have problems topping up PPMs are also called pay-as-you-go meters, prepaid meters, and keypad meters in Northern Ireland.

Can I save money with a prepayment meter?

The main benefit of prepayment meters is that you won’t spend more than you have – this can help you stick to a budget.

A PPM can be a useful tool to help you keep on top of your energy use.

Can I be forced to have a prepayment meter?

You might be forced to have a prepayment meter, but only as a last resort if you owe your supplier money. Your supplier can force-fit a prepayment meter by warrant or by remotely switching your smart meter, but only after they have taken all reasonable steps to agree an alternative payment plan with you.

Your supplier cannot make you move to prepayment if it wouldn’t be safe or practical and must follow the rules set by Ofgem, the energy regulator. 

In addition to Ofgem's existing rules, it has also introduced the Involutory PPM Code of Practice which sets high standards for how suppliers must behave, seeks to prevent bad practice and offer additional protection.

The involuntary PPM code of practice for suppliers in Great Britain

Since November 2023, all suppliers in England, Scotland and Wales must follow strict rules for when they can and cannot forcibly install a prepayment meter.

You cannot be forced to use a PPM if:

• your debt is less than three months after the bill has been issued
• you owe less than £200 for gas or electricity
• you’re in the process of moving to a repayment plan.

What happens if I am in Northern Ireland?

The Utility Regulator is responsible for the governance of energy suppliers in Northern Ireland and has its own code of practice.

The code states that before your supplier installs a prepayment meter in your home for debt reasons, they must clearly explain:

• the terms and conditions of the repayment arrangement
• how much of each top-up will be used to repay your debt (this cannot be more than 40%)
• what to do if you cannot afford the repayment arrangement.

For further information, please visit - How to reduce your energy bills | MoneyHelper