Winter is well on the way and with the colder weather we are all more aware about the cost of heating our home. At the Folkestone business to business event earlier in the year I met local representatives from The Utility Warehouse which specialises helping its customers to find the cheapest tariffs for energy bills, and to lower the costs for other utilities as well. It is always worth checking out either directly, or though a company like this whether or not you could be getting a better deal. It has been estimated that the average household saves £68 a year on their bills by switching supplier. This can increase to an average saving of £158 per year if when you switch you also start paying your bills by direct debit.
For homes that use heating oil, a good way of saving money is to bulk by with other users in your community. The Elham Going Green group runs a fuel club for residents in the Elham Valley. If there is not already a club up and running in your area, companies like Boilerjuice will notify registered users when they are making a delivery to their neighbourhood and offer a discount if you order for delivery on the same day.
As in previous winters, pensioner households will receive the winter fuel payment, which is worth between £100 and £300, and in addition to this low income households will also quality for the Cold Weather Payment, worth £25 for each seven pay period of cold weather. Further to these payments, this winter low income households could receive a further £135 discount on their electricity bills through the Warm Home Discount Scheme. 2 million households will get help under this scheme, as a one off discount to their electricity bills. You can check with your electricity supplier whether you qualify, and how you can apply for it.
The Home Heat Helpline also offers advice for people looking to reduce their energy bills, as well as on saving energy and improving home insulation. They can be contacted on 0800 33 66 99 and online at www.homeheathelpline.org.uk. The Government has also passed new laws requiring energy companies to let their customers know which would be the lowest cost tariff for them to be signed up to. The Government also provides energy saving grants to people living on older properties, and those on low incomes. You can see if you qualify by using the online calculator at www.gov.uk/energy-grants-calculator or by calling the Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 123 1234.
On Friday evening last week I joined a full house at The Quarterhouse in Folkestone to see the Transport Theatre company's performance of Shakespeare's comedy, 'As You Like It'. Their superb production was staged to mark the opening night of the Folkestone Book Festival, which runs until 24th November. The Book Festival couldn't have got off to a better start, and you can find out more about the rest of the programme of talks and events at the website www.folkestonebookfest.com. I would also like to congratulate Alastair Upton and his team at the Creative Foundation on putting together another excellent festival.