British Gas offers help to customers this winter

Following the recent cold snap, British Gas, Britain’s largest energy provider, is urging its customers to get in touch and take advantage of free help and advice about winter energy bills.

There are a number of ways that British Gas is helping its customers this winter, including:

Tariff check

British Gas will review a customer’s tariff to see whether they are on the best deal for them and whether they can make any savings by moving to a different British Gas tariff.

Flexible payment options

Last year, British Gas helped more than two million people with flexible payment plans and other direct financial support - and it now offers direct debit customers the same opportunity to set and manage their own payments.

Free insulation

British Gas offers free insulation if you live in certain areas or if someone in your household is in receipt of certain income related benefits. Loft insulation can save up to £175 per year. To find out more customers should call free on 0800 107 8486.

Here to help teams

British Gas has dedicated “Here to Help” teams that offer additional support to customers who are elderly, disabled or living with a long term illness. Anybody can ask on behalf of a friend or relative to register them for extra help free of charge.

Some of the benefits include, free annual safety checks, alternative bill formats (e.g. large print, Braille or talking bills) and priority attention for any general enquires.

To register for extra help, customers or someone acting on their behalf should call 0800 072 8625 (or 0800 294 8604 if they have a Pay As You Go meter).

Priority service for vulnerable customers

Vulnerable customers receive a priority service if their boiler breaks down, ensuring that they will not be left without heat.

Ian Peters, Managing Director British Gas Residential Energy, said: “No-one who needs heat should be going without it. We know that household budgets are under pressure and that the recent cold snap may have left some customers concerned about their winter heating bill. There is help available, and we urge customers to get in touch to find out what support is on offer. It’s free to call us, and for immediate help and support with bills and for the longer term, with energy efficiency that will have an effect now and in the years to come.

“In the long term, energy efficiency is still the best way to save money on bills. One in every four pounds spent on energy bills is wasted due to poor insulation. There are over 5 million homes across the UK alone that need loft insulation. This doesn’t have to be the case as help and advice is available.

“Last year, British Gas helped over two million customers with flexible payment plans and other direct financial support. That’s why we are urging our customers to get in touch and to see how we can help.”

Other help available to customers includes:

Warm Home Discount

Last year nearly 300,000 British Gas customers received the Warm Home Discount - a one off payment of £130 on the electricity bills of our most vulnerable customers. British Gas has the broadest eligibility criteria than that of any other supplier. Next year, the rebate will rise to £135.

British Gas Energy Trust

The British Gas Energy Trust is an independent charitable trust that offers advice and support for people who are struggling with their household bills.

British Gas has teamed up with debt centres across the UK to fund support workers to help people apply for a grant. Last year the British Gas Energy Trust supported over 16,000 people with grants totalling £10.5m. You don’t even need to be a British Gas customer to apply. For more information on the British Gas Energy Trust, visit: www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk.

For more information visit www.britishgas.co.uk