Winter energy bills: where Ealing residents can get free help

Worried about how much heating and electricity will cost this winter? Ealing Council is reminding residents about its free Healthy Homes Ealing service. Advice is available by phone from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, on 0800 083 2265. Residents can also submit a form through the council’s website.

The reminder was published on 21 September, ahead of a change to the national energy price cap in October. The council says a typical household in England currently pays about £1,862 a year for gas and electricity. That is an illustration, not a guaranteed bill. The cap set by Ofgem limits the amount suppliers can charge for each unit of energy, but it does not cap a household’s total payment. The final bill still depends, among other things, on how much energy is used.

A practical first step is to check the current tariff through a reputable comparison service. If a better deal is available, households can consider changing tariff or supplier after looking at the contract terms. The council also advises residents to prepare for the heating season now rather than waiting for the first high bills.

Healthy Homes Ealing is a free service for borough residents who are struggling with rising energy costs. Advisers can help households identify ways to reduce energy use and spending. In some cases, residents may also be able to arrange a free home consultation with a “green doctor”, an energy adviser who can look at the household’s circumstances. The adviser can check possible eligibility for government support, including the Warm Home Discount or help with upgrading a boiler. Contacting the service does not automatically qualify someone for a payment; eligibility is assessed under the rules of each scheme.

The council also lists several small changes to everyday routines. Washing machines should be run with full loads and at 30C where possible. Dishwashers should also be full, and dishes do not need to be pre-rinsed. Only the water that is needed should be boiled in a kettle. Recommended settings are 5C for a fridge and minus 18C for a freezer; colder settings use more energy without improving food storage. For small portions, an air fryer may cook faster and cost less to run than an electric oven.

The main advice is not to delay asking for help when payments are becoming difficult. The Healthy Homes Ealing helpline is open on weekdays from 9am to 5pm on 0800 083 2265. An online form is available on the Ealing Council website. The service is not a replacement for individual financial advice, but it provides a local starting point for residents before winter.