Sheila from Stockton- on-Tees was referred to Five Lamps by Stockton Council through the Warm Homes Healthy People project
She was finding her energy bills very high and required some energy efficiency and switching advice.
Amy Baker, Executive Support Assistant at Five Lamps contacted Sheila to discuss her energy bills. She noted that Sheila was paying for her gas and electric by different payment methods -her gas by direct debit and her electricity by prepayment meter. Amy informed Sheila that direct debit is one of the cheapest ways to pay for her energy bills and she could save money just by paying for both gas and electricity by direct debit. However this was unsuitable for Sheila as she uses a lot of electricity and preferred paying by prepayment meter so she could budget her money.
When doing an online check Amy noticed that by switching to a cheaper energy tariff with Sheila’s gas supplier she could in fact save £156 a year. By changing her electricity supplier she could save £176 per year and also be eligible for the Warm Homes Discount which would be £135 rebate towards her electricity before March 2014. She advised Mrs McKie to phone her current gas supplier ask to be placed on the cheapest tariff they have available and also ask if she had a cancellation fee on her contract with her prepayment meter so she could switch to the new supplier. Sheila then phoned the new energy supplier switched and applied for the Warm Home Discount.
In total Sheila saved £356 per year on her energy bills and will also receive £135 off her electricity bills before March 2014.
Sheila said
“The advice given to me by Amy was explained in a professional and friendly manner. I followed her advice and saved a large amount of money which has made me feel a lot better and will make our lives a lot better”
Five Lamps are currently working with Stockton Council on the Warm Homes Healthy People project helping people in Stockton on Tees who are suffering from fuel poverty.