Energy Advice and Support
Keep warmth in and save energy
We’ve compiled tips for you to try at home to keep the warmth where you need it, plus ways to use less energy and save money on your bills.
- Keep furniture away from radiators – get the maximum benefit from your heating by not blocking them.
- Turn down radiators in rooms you are not using.
- Use your thermostat – set your thermostat to the lowest comfortable temperature, which for most is between 18 to 21 degrees.
- Keep the heat in – closing doors and using draught excluders reduces the amount of heating moving into colder areas of your home, such as the hall. If there’s a gap at the bottom of the door block it with a draught excluder – you can make one stuffed with used plastic bags or bits of spare material.
- Careful with your washing – wash on a 30-degree cycle and try to reduce your usage by one run per week for a year. This can save around £34 a year
- Switch off standby – almost all electrical appliances can be turned off at the plug without upsetting their programming. This can save around £65 per year.
- Spend less time in the shower – by keeping to a four minute shower time, this can save around £95 a year – for a free timer and other water saving devices visit the Save Water Save Money website.
For more information, tips and help understanding your energy bill head to the Energy Saving Trust website.
*Savings are based for a typical three-bedroom, gas-heated home and on the Energy Price Guarantee October 2022. Water savings are based on average occupancy.
Household Support Fund
Funded by the UK government, the Household Support Fund scheme supports vulnerable Kent households in need of help with significantly rising living costs.
If your application is successful, support will be provided by the end of March 2023 in the form of a £100 Post Office cash-out voucher, to be used to pay for energy costs within your household.
There is a limited amount of funding available for this scheme and funds will be distributed on a first come, first served basis, with only one award per household.
Getting help with your energy bills
Warm Home Discount: £150 annually off electricity bills for those eligible. Visit the government website's Warm Home Discount Scheme webpages for more information.
Winter fuel allowance: payments for pensioners and vulnerable. Visit the government website's Winter Fuel Payment webpages for more information.
Cold weather payments is a scheme run by the government from 1 Nov to 31 March every year, those eligible could receive £25/wk. Visit the government's Cold Weather Payments webpages for more information.
Debt assistance: If you’re struggling with debt find advice and help through Ashford Advice.
Save Safely
Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS) has launched a Save Safely campaign providing safe energy savings tips for anyone looking for alternative and cost effective ways to heat their home.
The fire service is concerned for the safety of residents, who may resort to increased reliance on portable heaters, electric blankets and open fires – all of which come with a fire risk if not used correctly and carefully.
KFRS Chief Executive Ann Millington said: “The rising cost of energy will impact everyone, so we want to advise people about choosing the safest ways to stay warm.
“Layering up with jumpers, socks and blankets is a safe and free way to stay warm. People may want to use central heating in more cost effective ways – like heating the rooms used most often in the home and turning off radiators in other spaces, or switching it on just in the morning and evening when outside temperatures are coldest.”
Visit KFRS’ Save Safely page at for safe saving tips and information about financial support for anyone struggling to pay energy bills. For advice on home fire safety call KFRS free on 0800 923 7000.
Council tenants are reminded that they are responsible for safety checks on any gas appliances they own. Tenancy agreements do not allow the use of portable gas heaters in council homes, due to concerns about the maintenance, safety and storage of combustible gas heaters.
Keep safety in mind if you're finding ways to cut costs.
