Help with household bills (gas, electric, and water)

Our Energy Advice Service is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Yes, all appointments have to be pre-booked, but it only takes a minute.

You can book a session using the contact details above.

We can meet you for a home visit if you live in or around Bolton, as that's where we're based. Just let us know when you book.

Don't worry if you live somewhere else, though. We can still provide free support over the phone.

• Set your thermostat to a healthy 18⁰C to 21⁰C.
• Turning your thermostat down by 1 degree can save you 10% on your gas bill — which is around £80 per year.
• Switch off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Set your heating to come on half an hour before you want your home to be warm.
• Switch your heating off around half an hour before you leave the house or go to bed.
• Use energy saving light bulbs throughout your home — this could save over £150 a year.

• Using your central heating properly will cost less than using individual electric heaters.
• Use thicker curtains instead of blinds, especially in the winter.
• Don’t cover your radiators as this blocks heat.
• Close your curtains as it starts to go dusk to keep in the heat.
• Switch off lights and appliances when not in use.
• Chargers use energy when plugged in (even when they aren't charging a device), so unplug them if you can.

• Look for A or B rated appliances, as this could save approximately £89 per year per appliance.
• Wash your clothes on a lower temperature. 30⁰C will clean most clothes but towels and bedding must be washed at 60⁰C for hygiene reasons.
• A full load of washing uses less energy than two half loads.
• Defrost your freezer regularly, as this will ensure it runs more efficiently.
• Full fridges and freezers use less energy.
• You can save money by using a microwave, air fryer, or slow cooker instead of a conventional oven.
• Use dryer balls in your tumble dryer. This can reduce drying time by 30%, which means less energy usage. You can usually buy dryer balls from pound shops.

• You can save over £24 per year by only boiling only as much water as you need when using your kettle.
• Use a three-tier steamer instead of using separate pans.
• Use pan lids when cooking, it’s quicker, uses less energy, and reduces condensation.
• Slow cookers are a great way to save money. They may be on for longer but they use less energy.
• Use a toaster instead of a grill. Toasters are more efficient, this will save money.
• Consider using an air fryer. These can be more efficient than a conventional oven.
• Double up on cooking and freeze leftovers, you can defrost and reheat them another day.
• Don’t put hot food in the fridge or freezer, let it cool first, as this makes the appliance use more energy.

• Reducing your shower time to around five minutes can save £190 a year (based on a family of four).
• Having a shower instead of a bath can save £309 a year (based on a family of four).
• Switching off the tap while brushing your teeth or shaving can save lots of water over time.
• Don’t flush cigarettes, cleansing wipes, or other items of rubbish down the toilet. This wastes water and is the main cause of blocked pipes and drains.
• A dripping tap can waste around 20 baths of water a year.
• To prevent condensation in other parts of your home (which can cause damp and mould-related issues), keep your bathroom door closed while having a bath or shower, open your window, or use your extractor fan.