Energy advice and support

There are a number of ways that people may be able to reduce their energy costs and better manage fuel bills. This includes switching energy providers, free help and advice from several agencies as well as applying for support from a range of schemes. 

Switching Energy Provider

With the energy market starting to stabilise, there are now some switching deals coming back on to the market. Keep up to date by visiting Money Saving Expert's energy page. If you're looking to switch provider, there are comparison sites that can tell you how much you could save such as uSwitch. 

Where can I go for support?

If you're struggling to pay your energy bills or are in debt with your energy supplier, there are lots of local and national organisations that offer support to help you get back on track:

Your energy supplier

It's worth contacting your energy supplier directly as they may be able to offer you a payment plan, or schemes and grants to help with home heating and energy costs.

Ofgem 

Ofgem's website has lots of helpful information about how to reduce your energy usage and reduce your bills, and where you can go for help if you are struggling to pay your energy bills. 

Citizens Advice Sunderland Utilities Team

The team can help you to reduce your energy costs by comparing energy providers, payment methods and tariffs. They also offer help and advice about debts, benefits, and other types of financial support that are available. Contact the team via email energy@citizensadvicesunderland.co.uk or telephone 0191 415 8998 Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm (if the line is busy, please leave your name and contact number and one of the energy team will call you back).

Green Doctors

This organisation offers free energy advice and services, such as fixing causes of heat loss in your home, tackling problems with mould and damp, and installing small energy measures, like draft excluders. They can also help you to access support such as emergency heating and applying for government subsidies and grants. Email GreenDoctorsNE@groundwork.org.uk or visit: www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor

Groundwork North East also offer the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD) project which provides free, expert and impartial Retrofit advice on improving the energy efficiency of your home. We recognise that many Council staff and residents would like to reduce their energy bills, along with finding out what energy efficiency grants are available. 

Householders and Council staff living in Sunderland can receive free in-person energy advice from Groundwork using this form: Groundwork North East Cumbria Green Doctors (salesforce-sites.com)

Advice providers in Sunderland

There's a range of advice providers across the city who offer free information, advice and guidance on welfare benefits, debt, employment, and housing matters. They can also give advice and support around reducing your energy costs and usage and help if you've fallen behind or are struggling to pay your energy bills.
 

Gentoo tenants

If you're a Gentoo tenant, visit their energy costs page to find out more about the support they can offer you.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free support service that makes sure extra help is available to people in vulnerable situations. Ofgem provide more information about eligibility and what kind of support energy suppliers offer.

Warm Homes Discount Scheme (WHD)

If you have a low income, you may be able to get money off your electricity bill for winter via your energy supplier and the Warm Homes Discount Scheme (WHD).

Power cuts

You can check Northern Power Grid for details of planned and unplanned powers cuts and help for these situations, including reporting and  locating your power cut, finding out what's happening and seeing when your power is due back on. The information also include details of how to register for their priority services register.

Water bills

Northumbrian Water offer a range of schemes to help and support you financially. This ranges from fixing a leaking toilet for free no matter what your income, to discount of up to 50% on your water bill depending on your income.

Disclaimer

The purpose of the above information is to provide householders with general guidance and useful tips only and not designed to provide professional or financial advice and should not be relied on as such. While the council uses reasonable endeavours to include and update information neither the council nor its employees will be liable for any loss, damage or inconvenience arising from the use of this information. You should check any information before acting or relying upon it.

The council does not endorse any 3rd party advice or installer and hence if claims are made from organisations to be acting on behalf of the council, you should check the validity of those claims.

This information was correct at the time of printing, for any changes to services, offer or opening times please contact provider directly or visit website listed.