Home Energy, Maintenance & Bills
Help is at hand if you are struggling to heat your home, generate hot water and power for your needs.
Most energy suppliers have a fund to help, so it's worth talking to them about an affordable payment plan or grants to help. Other sources of support to save money, keep cosy and keep costs down are found here.
Southern Water
If you're struggling to pay your bill, you could be entitled to one of their discount schemes such as the Essentials Tariff which provides a discount of at least 45% on future bills and a low income pensioner discount.
Complete Southern Water's online financial assistance form or find out more by contacting them directly.
You may be eligible for a discount if any of the following circumstances applies to you: completing the online financial assistance form. Find out more by contacting directly
- Your household income is low
- Someone in your home gets a means-tested benefit
- You've got three or more children under 19 living at home
- Someone living with you needs more water because of a medical condition
- You haven't made a payment to us for a while
Southern Water increases customer bills to support investment while strengthening financial support for families in need
As Southern Water responds to customer demand to go further and faster with service improvements and investment in new infrastructure, and in the face of ongoing economic pressures, household bills for water and waste are set to increase for the financial year 2024-25.
This means customers who pay for water and wastewater services can expect a 9% rise, from £1.20 per day (£439 per year) to £1.31 per day (£479 per year). Meanwhile, water only bills will go up by 7.7% and waste only by 10%.
0800 027 0363
Portsmouth Water
Offer a number of schemes to help customers who are struggling to pay their bill. The most important thing is to get in touch with them as soon as possible to discuss your situation.
02392 499666
The Environment Centre
The Environment Centre (tEC) delivers Hampshire County Council's Hitting the Cold Spots service, a free service that helps people fund new boilers and find ways to make their homes more energy efficient. Specialist advisers can also help you manage your gas and electricity bills and provide free small household items to help you keep warm through winter. It also provides free and impartial advice on a range of subjects, including help to improve energy efficiency and help with managing water debt. Monday- Friday 9am-5pm.
0800 8048601
The British Gas Energy Trust
The Trust is an independent charity that can help no matter who your energy supplier is. It has two different grants to clear gas and electricity debts up to £1,500- one is for British Gas Customers and the other is for customers of other energy suppliers. Find out who's eligible and how to apply via the website.
admin@britishgasenergytrust.org.uk
0121 3487797
Home & Well Service Citizens Advice
This service helps people being discharged from hospital to have a comfortable and safe home environment by addressing the detrimental impact of cold homes, reduced water usage and anxiety due to utility bills to speed up recovery and prevent re-admission to hospital. The advisors will help patients apply to be on the Priority Services Register- meaning that they will receive additional support should they experience a power cut or water shortage. Our advisors will also make sure that people receive the benefits to which they are entitled.
In addition to helping people being discharged from hospitals, the service is also provided to other vulnerable people referred by the NHS, or who approach Citizens Advice directly.
homeandwell@gosport.cabnet.org.uk or Call Heather on 07854 202 8381
Warmer Homes Scheme
The Warmer Homes Scheme provides fully funded measures to reduce energy needs to eligible households. These include: insulation, high heat retention storage heaters, solar panels and air source heat pumps.
These measurescan make a significant difference to energy costs, reducing bills by hundreds of pounds per year. No cost for homeowners. For private tenants, landlords will be required to contribute one third of the cost of the measures.
To be eligible, you must:
- own and live in the property you're applying for
- not use a gas boiler as your home's main heating system
- have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G - if you do not know your home's EPC you can find it out when you apply
You'll usually need to have a household income of £36,000 a year or less. You might still be eligible even if you earn more than that in some postcode areas.
Call the Warmer Homes advice line (0800 038 5737) to find out more and apply, or to use the simple "register your interest" form on the Warmer Homes website.
Switched On Gosport Warmer Homes
Warmer Homes- Register your Interest
0800 038 5737
Free Energy and Money Saving Service
This service helps people keep warm during the colder months and reduce their energy bills, without costing them any money. It is available to all types of householders - homeowners, private tenants and social housing tenants. Residents cannot apply directly, but instead need to be referred into the scheme. Residents should contact their rent or housing officer if relevant to be referred to the scheme or contact Citizens Advice Gosport on 02392 520112.
Residents receive a phone consultation and home visit if appropriate, providing tailored advice and support to reduce energy bills and increase income.
Switched On Gosport Free Energy Schemes
0800 060 7567
Repair Cafe Gosport
This is a community self-repair organisation set up to help you save money and waste by repairing items instead of throwing them away and buying a new one. Bring in your item in and get expert help in repairing it! Open to all the 2nd Saturday of Every Month, except August, from 10:30am to 1pm but booking ahead is recommended. Volunteer opportunities available (hosts and repairers). Social event with tea/coffee. Based at Make Gosport, Unit 5, Quay Lane, Hardway, Gosport, PO12 4LJ.
02392 983802
Help for Households- Social Tariffs
The government has worked with a range of Internet Service Providers and Mobile Network Operators to deliver low-cost broadband and phone service packages, called social tariffs, for those on low incomes. Social tariffs are available for people claiming Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some other benefits, with some providers offering deals from £15 a month. Some providers call them essential or basic packages. They are delivered the same way as other packages, but cost less.
If you or someone in your household claims Universal Credit, you could switch to any of the tariffs available. Some providers also include people on other benefits such as Pension Credit, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseekers' Allowance, and Income Support. The person receiving the benefit will need to be the main person on the contract.
First, check if your current provider offers a social tariff. The website lists all of the tariffs available now. You can apply for most tariffs online or call your provider and ask to switch. If your provider doesn't offer a social tariff, you can switch to one that does. Your provider might let you leave your current contract without paying a penalty fee.
Make Your Home More Efficient- Save Energy, Lower Your Bills
Find out what actions you can take to get ready for winter and save money on your energy bills. This website, updated for Winter 2023, has helpful tips for effective ways to conservve energy in your household. These small actions could add up to big savings on your energy bills
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