Last updated: 30 October 2023
Next review: 30 October 2024
Energy bills
We’re here to help you save money on your bills - whether it’s through advice on how to retrofit your home, or top tips on how to apply energy-saving measures.
The Council is providing tailored support to all residents this winter, whatever their background, with our lower bills calculator. You can find out what help and services you may be entitled to and apply for support: from free materials you can install yourself, to loft insulation and new heating systems provided by the ECO4 scheme.
You can find out which scheme you're eligible for and apply now here. It takes just a couple of minutes to find the best scheme for you. If you need help completing the application, you can head to your nearest library or Family Hub to get support. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for:
Waltham Forest’s Lower Bills, Warmer Homes programme: The Council is helping 1,000 households save £100,000 a year in bills and 150,000 kg of carbon this winter by offering free energy-saving home installations through Service Store, as well as materials and advice to people who want to make changes themselves.
ECO4 initiative: The Council is partnering with EDF, Octopus and EON energy companies to offer FREE energy efficiency upgrades in your home.
Households with either:
A combined income below £31,000
Those in receipt of benefits
Those with long-term health conditions
Those with a child on free school meals
Age 65 plus
Could be eligible to receive loft insulation, internal or external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, a new boiler or air source heat pump, or other major improvements to the home.
Energy advice: We are offering on-the-ground energy through advisers and volunteers, delivered by HEET. This includes in-person advice in Community Living Rooms, distribution of materials, signposting and referrals, and training and upskilling.
Find out more about all these options, and apply now with our lower bills calculator.
You can also find useful tips and advice on the following Council pages:
- Get help with saving money on your energy bills – you can find tips on how to reduce your energy usage, and also find out about financial support for paying your energy bills.
- Learn more about keeping your home warm this winter. Find information on keeping warm, getting support with winter fuel payments, and boosting your immunity against infectious diseases this winter.
- Get help with retrofitting your home – read our advice on how you can retrofit your home and set up energy saving measures yourself, as well as where you can collect kits to apply these measures.
There is also plenty of local support available to you:
HEET is a local not-for-profit organisation that works to help households save money on fuel bills and stay warm and healthy at home.
If you receive any benefits or are aged 60 or over, HEET may be able to provide direct support with installation to help you make your home warmer and reduce your energy bills. You can refer yourself, or a professional can refer you on your behalf, using the HEET online referral form.
You can get support and advice from HEET on how to carry out DIY retrofitting measures by visiting the HEET website.
Morgan Sindall offers monthly Energy Cafés to Waltham Forest residents promoting energy awareness. These take place online on every first Wednesday of the month, from 10am to 12pm.
Email Morgan Sindall (CSRbox@morgansindall.com) or Aston Group (R.Statter@astongroup.co.uk) to sign up for an energy awareness session.
There are many useful tools and advice that can help you lower your energy costs. You can access this support if you are struggling to pay your bills:
you can find a range of practical resources, such as:
- a money savings calculator
- advice on saving energy and water
- reducing energy bills
- accessing financial support
- installing renewables
- a free advice phone line
Citizens Advice provide plenty of useful information, as well as free support around energy and the cost of living.
Ofgem provides helpful advice around how to agree a payment plan with your gas provider. You can also find schemes, grants and benefits, and get debt advice.