Where to get more help

Where can I go for support?

If you want to save energy at home, 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.

Home Energy Advice North East - https://energyadvicenortheast.co.uk/

Ready to start saving energy and money? Explore advice, tools and support today.

Supporting people across the North East to reduce their energy bills and make energy saving home improvements.  All support is impartial and delivered by in-house experts at Energy Saving Trust.

Use the Homewise tool to create a tailored plan with recommendations for your home.

For more detailed support, request a call from an expert energy advisor.

Also obtain free personalised home improvement plans with a visit from an energy expert. Find out more and request your visit here.

UK Goverment: Find ways to save energy in your home 

If you own a property in England or Wales you can get recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.

For each recommendation you can see:

• an estimated cost of making the improvement
• how much you could save on your bills
• next steps if you want to make the improvement

Speak to an adviser by phone instead.

Telephone: 0800 098 7950

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm (except bank holidays)
Saturday, 9am to 12pm

Your energy supplier

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

Ofgem 

Ofgem's website has lots of helpful information about how to reduce your energy use and cut your bills. It has details of other 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 them Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm on 0191 415 8998 or email: energy@citizensadvicesunderland.co.uk

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. Contact Julia Bentley on 07515 327 185, email GreenDoctorsNE@groundwork.org.uk or visit: www.groundwork.org.uk/greendoctor

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 to lower your energy costs and use or help if you are struggling to pay your energy bills or have debts.

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 service to make sure energy suppliers give extra help to vulnerable customers. Ofgem provides information on how to qualify and what kind of support energy suppliers offer.

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.