Energy bills: Couple discuss the increase in their prices SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A major energy company has urged the Government’s industry regulator to crack down on a penalty for “careful customers”. It's this portion of bill payers that get up to £254 extra slapped onto their bill if they are not on direct debit payment plans. Octopus Energy has called on Ofgem to end payment penalties for standard credit customers, who are being charged more than three times extra than they were in April 2021, when the this additional fee stood at £84. Around five million customers are said to be affected, meaning UK could be paying around £1.3billion more a year in surplus charges. Related articles £8k … [Read more...] about Octopus Energy demands crackdown on hidden payment penalty which is ‘out of hand’
Energy bills
Pensioners in 25 countries may receive boost worth up to £600 to help with energy bills
Pensioners in 25 countries may receive boost worth up to £600 to help with energy bills (Image: Getty) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info This year, Winter Fuel Payments have been worth up to £600 as the Government offers more support amid the cost of living crisis. While most payments will have arrived for Britons living in the UK, there are some exceptions. Related articles ‘Scandal' as HMRC forces pension savers to pay tax they don't even owe Premium Bonds winners for February 2023 announced This is because many Britons have chosen to become expats, moving overseas for various reasons. Those living in 25 European Economic Area (EEA) countries, or Switzerland, could find themselves eligible for the support. … [Read more...] about Pensioners in 25 countries may receive boost worth up to £600 to help with energy bills
Millions of energy customers have ‘dumb’ smart meters like me – but a loophole means we’re stuck with them
BAFFLED EDF customer Jeremy Lister has tried everything to get his 'dumb' smart meter working again. The retired electrical designer, 65, has complained to the energy giant and even taken his case to the ombudsman - but a loophole in the rules mean he's hit a brick wall. Jeremey, who lives in Pontefract, West Yorkshire , said: "It's infuriating because I'm not getting any of the supposed benefits of having a smart meter. "I have to manually report my electricity readings to EDF . "And I can't understand how I use my energy because my in-home display (IHD) which tells me how much my usage for each day costs is completely redundant." Jeremy complained to EDF three times, before escalating the issue to the Energy Ombudsman. Read more in money CLEAN STREAK I'm a mum-of-two - I've made £300 from renting out household gadget DRIVES YOU MAD Fuel duty could rise in Budget in blow to hard-pressed motorists, hints Hunt … [Read more...] about Millions of energy customers have ‘dumb’ smart meters like me – but a loophole means we’re stuck with them
Millions of households to be hit with largest water bill increase in 20 years this spring – see if you can get help
HOUSEHOLDS will see the largest hike in their annual water bills in nearly 20 years when they rise to an average of £448 this spring. Water UK said the 7.5% increase would see customers pay around £1.23 per day on average from April. This is an increase of 8p per day or an average of £31 more than last year’s charges. Experts are warning that the rise could prove the tipping point for the one in five customers already struggling to pay. But Water UK argued that water bills remained lower in real terms than they were a decade ago. The industry body said this year’s increase reflected higher energy costs , with water firms using around 2% of the nation’s electricity. READ MORE IN MONEY BILL BOOST Thousands of households to get £35 water bill discount - are you one of them? TAP UP Thousands of households to get up to £50 to help with water bills - can you claim? Firms said they were aware of the impact … [Read more...] about Millions of households to be hit with largest water bill increase in 20 years this spring – see if you can get help
I’m a plumber – a simple settings change can cut your water bills by £100s
A NEW year brings with it the chance to make money-saving changes - so why not start with your water bills? Energy bills have soared for millions of households who will be looking for ways to cut back on costs. The energy price guarantee , brought in by the government, means the average household is paying an average of £2,500 for gas and electricity. And this will go up to £3,000 from April next year. When it comes to your water bills, there are a few things you can do to save money though. The Sun spoke to Winston Davis, plumber and founder of Avenue Heating, who offered his five top tips to ensure you're not unnecessarily blowing cash this year. Read more in Money BILL HELP Thousands of households to get £180 free cash paid directly into bank account SCAN IT Major supermarket makes big change at checkouts - and shoppers aren't happy Check your thermostat It might be tempting to hike up your … [Read more...] about I’m a plumber – a simple settings change can cut your water bills by £100s
Boss brings his workforce back to the office to swerve soaring energy costs at home
Energy bills: Couple discuss the increase in their prices SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A marketing agency boss from Scotland has secured plans reopen an office space after admitting the growing cost of energy bills left him feeling the pinch. Colin Mckellar, had been working from home since the pandemic , but has taken the plunge to rent a new workspace in a bid to lower his monthly outgoings. The dad-of-one, from Ardrossan on Scotland's west coast, decided to coincide the big change with a house move to Kilmarnock, near Glasgow. The new deal will see heating, air conditioning and lighting the premises come under one monthly payment which also includes the hire of the space. Related articles Energy … [Read more...] about Boss brings his workforce back to the office to swerve soaring energy costs at home
Utilita boss’s seven word defence as campaigners blast installation of prepayment meters
Martin Lewis gives voucher advice to those on prepayment meters SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info A major energy company boss has been forced to fend off criticism of prepayment meters despite "dire" figures suggesting they do not help the most vulnerable people in society. Bill Bullen, the CEO of Utilita, has argued these meters stop customers from falling into debt, allowing them to dodge the impacts of self rationing. In an interview he said "we’re not a bunch of evil ogres" when addressing concerns about the methods used to fit the devices in the homes of those who are struggling to pay up. Related articles £8k quadrillion asteroid 'worth 75,000 times the global economy' 400-year-old French … [Read more...] about Utilita boss’s seven word defence as campaigners blast installation of prepayment meters
I tried drying wet laundry with just my dehumidifier – here’s how long it took to dry
Troy the magician shares best ways to save money on laundry SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Dehumidifiers are commonly used in areas of the home with high levels of humidity, places where pollutants, allergens and bacteria often develop and thrive. This means they can be used in any room within the home, but are often placed in conservatories, kitchens and bathrooms. With laundry hard to dry during the winter months, I put my dehumidifier to the test to see if it could dry wet clothing alone, without the help of any heating. Related articles ‘Foolproof’ cleaning method to keep Venetian blinds ‘spotless’ Ideal time to prune Japanese maples - avoid ‘weakening’ acer Dehumidifiers are … [Read more...] about I tried drying wet laundry with just my dehumidifier – here’s how long it took to dry
British Gas makes major change to prepayment meters after undercover sting
BRITISH Gas yesterday halted the use of warrants to force entry into customers’ homes and fit prepayment meters. The climbdown came after an undercover reporter claimed third-party firm Arvato was ignoring some people’s vulnerabilities. It is reported that debt collectors "brake into" people's homes and "force-fit" pay-as-you-go meters. Warrants give energy firms the legal right to enter homes and install the kit. Customers must then top up payments to receive gas, or risk their heating being cut off . The Times reporter said he visited a single dad with three kids while with Arvato, and agents were sent to a mum with a four-week-old baby. READ MORE ABOUT ENERGY BILLS NOT SO SMART My energy firm won't replace my 'dumb' smart meter due to loophole in rules BILL BLOW Households to be hit with largest water bill increase in 20 years this spring Centrica chief executive officer Chris O'Shea said: … [Read more...] about British Gas makes major change to prepayment meters after undercover sting
UK’s 3 main challenges ‘hinged on the £6bn heat pump pledge which needs to come sooner’
Boris Johnson discusses introduction of heat pumps to UK homes SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Chancellor Jeremy Hunt has been urged to unveil a "generous and ambitious" £6billion investment boost to energy efficiency measures and the rollout of heat pumps in the UK. BESA, an industry body, has called for more immediate action to decarbonise homes in the UK through heat pumps and increased energy efficiency by 2025. Experts argue that doing so could help tackle "three of the biggest challenges" that the country is facing today, energy security, cost of living, and climate change. In November last year, the Chancellor announced a £6billion commitment to these measures from 2025, provided that the Tory party stays in power … [Read more...] about UK’s 3 main challenges ‘hinged on the £6bn heat pump pledge which needs to come sooner’