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My Power: Money & Debt

Energy Bills: Stop Paying Over the Odds

Energy companies make billions in profit while millions can't heat their homes. Here's how to claim every penny of help available and fight back.

Your Rights as an Energy Consumer

Energy suppliers are regulated by Ofgem and bound by licence conditions that protect consumers. They cannot:

  • Force you onto a prepayment meter without a court warrant (since the 2023 ban on forced installations).
  • Cut off your supply if you're vulnerable, elderly, disabled, or have young children.
  • Refuse to offer you an affordable repayment plan if you're in debt.
  • Charge you more for being on a prepayment meter than direct debit customers.

If your supplier isn't playing by these rules, they're breaking their licence conditions — and you can report them to Ofgem or complain to the Energy Ombudsman.

Financial Help Available

  • Warm Home Discount — £150 off your electricity bill (apply through your supplier, Oct-March).
  • Winter Fuel Payment — £100-£300 for pensioners (automatic if receiving state pension).
  • Cold Weather Payments — £25 per week when temperature drops below 0°C for 7+ days.
  • ECO4 Scheme — free insulation and heating upgrades for qualifying households.
  • Supplier hardship funds — grants of £500-£2,000 to clear energy debt (ask your supplier directly).

Cut Your Bills

Switch and Save

Even in a price cap world, there are differences between tariffs. Fixed-rate deals can lock in lower prices. Use Ofgem-accredited comparison sites to find the best deal. Switching takes 5 minutes and your supply is never interrupted.

Insulation & Efficiency

The UK has the worst-insulated homes in Europe. Loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, and draught-proofing can save hundreds per year. The ECO4 scheme provides free upgrades for low-income households. Check eligibility at Simple Energy Advice.

Prepayment Meters

If you're on a prepayment meter and struggling, your supplier must offer emergency credit and cannot let you self-disconnect. They must also offer to switch you to direct debit if it would be cheaper. You can refuse a prepayment meter — they need a court warrant.

Energy Debt: You Have Options

If you owe money to your energy supplier, don't ignore it — but don't panic either. Your supplier is legally required to:

  • Offer you a realistic repayment plan based on what you can actually afford.
  • Not threaten you with disconnection if you're engaging with them.
  • Add you to their Priority Services Register if you're vulnerable (free — gives you extra protections).

Energy debt is a "priority debt" in debt advice terms — it should be dealt with before credit cards or personal loans because suppliers have the power to disconnect (though they rarely do for households with vulnerable members).

Making a Complaint

If your supplier has treated you unfairly:

  1. Complain in writing to your supplier first (email is fine — keep a copy).
  2. If not resolved in 8 weeks, escalate to the Energy Ombudsman.
  3. The Ombudsman can order compensation, apologies, and changes to your account.

Essential Resources

Energy Bills Action Checklist

Every pound saved on energy is a pound you keep. Start here.

Cut Your Energy Bills
Practical steps to reduce what you pay and claim all available help.

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