Cutting Energy bills this winter

Devon’s RESET Energy Advice team are helping people reduce their energy bills and achieve a sunnier outlook for their finances this winter.

The programme, run by Citizens Advice, covers Torbay, Exeter, Teignbridge and East Devon, and helps people out of fuel poverty towards a more sustainable financial future.

RESET Project Leader, Aaron Hughes, said:

“We know many people in our local communities are already facing hardship with the continued rising costs of food, water, rent and fuel. As we head into winter, more people we see are facing the impossible choice of heating or eating.

“Our expert team works intensively with the most vulnerable households to see if they’re paying too much for their gas and electricity, help them understand their bills, find ways of saving energy around the home and ensuring they’re getting all the support they need, such as available benefits.”

Energy RESET is a two-year, £450k scheme to address fuel poverty in southern Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.

According to the latest government statistics, more than 45,000 households in the RESET area are living in fuel poverty (1), including 11.6% of all -households in Exeter, 11.4% in the South Hams and also in Torbay, 11.3% in Plymouth, 10.3% in East Devon and 10.1% in Teignbridge.

Citizens Advice South Hams Chief Executive, Janie Moor, said:

“In our more marginalised rural and urban communities access to good, independent energy advice which could make all the difference to their weekly budget is difficult to find.

“Vulnerable people often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of their energy usage and bills, leading to stress from financial pressures and the challenge of keeping their homes warm. They need headspace to address these issues which are often compounded by complex billing communications from energy providers and mounting energy debt.

“We want to press the reset button on energy advice and make sure households are in a more stable position in future.”

Anyone who needs help from RESET can contact the team on 0800-995-6890 or via the website at resetenergyadvice.org.uk. The service is open to people who live in the Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay, South Hams, Teignbridge and East Devon areas and meet at least one of the following criteria:

• is in fuel poverty (10% or more disposable income spent on energy costs)
• has health-related vulnerabilities/disability/long-term health condition
• is digitally excluded, or has limited capability
• is of pensionable age or on low income/benefits or socially isolated
• is a single parent with dependent children