Advice for everyone
Energy saving tips
Keep your home warm for less this winter
- Heat the rooms you use the most: Prioritise heating the rooms you spend the most time in, such as the living room or bedroom. Aim to keep the temperature between 18°C and 21°C in the rooms you’re using.
- Keep draughts out: Block unwanted gaps that let cold air in and warm air out by using draught excluders around doors and windows.
- Use thick curtains: Use thick or thermal curtains and keep them closed when it gets dark. This will stop the warmth escaping through your windows. Keep curtains open during the day to let sun in.
For more energy saving tips visit:
For bespoke energy-saving advice, request a free home visit from an independent ‘Green Doctor’ energy advisor via the Westminster Home Energy Advice Service.
Help with your energy bills
There are several government schemes to help with energy bills:
Winter Fuel Payment:If you were born before 23 September 1958 you could get either £200 or £300 to help you pay your heating bills for winter 2024 to 2025. From this year you must also receive a qualifying means tested benefit to be eligible. If you are eligible, you’ll normally get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically and receive payment between mid-November and Christmas.
Cold Weather Payment: a £25 payment for every seven days of very cold weather between November and March, for those getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. If you’re eligible, you’ll get these payments automatically. You do not need to apply.
Warm Home Discount: a £150 discount for some people getting Pension Credit or some people in low-income households. Your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill automatically if you’re eligible.
Advice and support services
The following free-to-use services can help you to manage your energy bills and debts, support you to apply for grants or help find you a better tariff:
- Westminster Home Energy Advice Service - provides support via home visits.
- Citizens Advice Westminster: provides support via in-person drop-in sessions, Zoom calls and web chat.
- SHINE London: provides support via phone.
- National Energy Action: provides support via phone, web chat and BSL Interpreter Service.
Smart energy meters
A smart gas and electricity meter can help you take control of your home energy use. Smart meters come with an in-home display which shows how much energy is being used in near real time. You can see what you're spending in pounds and pence, which can help you to better understand and reduce your energy use.
Energy suppliers are installing smart meters in homes across the country at no extra cost, to replace traditional meters. Contact your energy supplier to get a smart meter installed in your home.
- If you're a council tenant, not all of our homes are suitable for smart energy meters.
- If you're a private renter, check your tenancy agreement as you may need your landlords permission to change the metering in the property, but they should not unreasonably prevent it.
- If you're a landlord, Ofgem recommend that tenants tell landlords before getting a smart meter installed, but that you should not unreasonably prevent installation.