Energyworks - our Energy Advice Service
Energyworks is a partnership project between Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove and Brighton & Hove Energy Services Coop (BHESCo). We provide energy advice and grants to Brighton and Hove residents experiencing fuel poverty.
We can help with understanding energy bills, making sure you’re not paying more than you should and negotiating with your supplier. We can help you reduce your energy use and costs, and make your home warmer and more energy-efficient. We can make sure you’re receiving all the financial support you are eligible for, and provide advice on other energy-related issues.
We have grants available, for fuel vouchers to top up prepayment meters. We can also help people access financial support from other sources where we aren’t able to provide a payment directly.
How to contact Energyworks
The best way to apply for support from us is to fill out our online enquiry form by clicking on the button here:
You can call the Energyworks voicemail service on 0333 090 9150. Leave us a message and we will aim to call you back the same day.
You can send us an email at: energyworks@cabrightonhove.org
Or come to our energy drop-in advice service: Thursdays, 1:15pm at Tisbury Road Offices, Hove Town Hall, Tisbury Road, Hove, BN3 3BQ
(Please note that we can only support people in the following postcodes: BN1, BN2 BN3, BN41)
Free and cheap tips to reduce energy costs
- Turning down the thermostat by 1 degree Celsius – £145 saved (in a year)
- Turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby – £65 saved
- Ensuring lights are switched off when leaving the room – £25 saved
- Not overfilling the kettle when boiling water – £13 saved
- Use your washing machine on a 30C max temperature cycle – £30 saved
- Only run your dishwasher when it is full – £30 saved
- Close curtains at the end of the day to stop heat escaping through the windows
- Make sure leaking taps are fully turned off
- Set thermostats on hot water tanks to 60C – this is likely inside a cupboard
Energy supplier financial support schemes
British Gas Energy Trust – Customers of other energy suppliers listed can also apply. Open to prepayment meter customers with £2000+ debt only
EON/EON Next Energy Fund – Grants to help with energy bills, or to replace broken appliances such as ovens
EDF Support Fund – Grants to help with energy bills and white goods. Applicants must have received debt advice to apply
Octopus Octo Assist Fund – Grants to help with energy bills. Requires applicant to submit budget
Scottish Power Hardship Fund – Grants to help with energy bills. Applicants must contact a debt advice agency such as StepChange first, to ask for debt advice and eligibility
Shell Energy Helpfund – Debt write-offs for those struggling to pay their energy bills
Bulb Energy Fund – Grants to help with energy bills and debt write-offs up to £2000. Partnership with Citizens Advice Plymouth, offering advice and info on energy issues
OVO Winter Support Package – Grants available to OVO, Boost and SSE Energy Services customers
Utility Warehouse Hardship Fund – Partnership with Plymouth Citizens Advice providing advice and grants
Local and National Grant Schemes
Help with essential items –Brighton & Hove City Council Local Discretionary Social Fund: 01273 293117 (Option 1)
Government Boiler Upgrade Scheme – Property owners only
Warmer Homes fully funded home-improvements – Property owners and private rental tenants only
Warm Home Discount missing payment – What to do if you did not receive your £150 payment between October 2023 and March 2024
Connected for Warmth – Free air-source heat pump or insulation for those in low-EPC-rated housing
Southern Water Financial Assistance – Financial help for Southern Water customers
Great British Insulation Scheme – Free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills. Subject to eligibility criteria
Utilita ECO scheme – Free energy efficiency measures for low-income households. You do not need to be a Utilita customer to apply
Useful Info and Links
Energy price cap explained – Ofgem
Get help from your supplier: Priority Services Register – Ofgem
Cost of Living Payment – UK Government
How to read your energy meter – Citizens Advice
How to understand your energy bill – Energy Saving Trust
Switching energy supplier – Citizens Advice
Warm Home Hacks – Energy Saving Trust
Fixing damp and condensation – Energy Saving Trust
Keeping warm and fire advice – Citizens Advice Brighton & Hove
How to contact BHESCo (Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative)
BHESCo (Brighton and Hove Energy Services Co-operative) provides free home visits to look at your energy use. They may be able to fit energy-saving measures.
Telephone: 0800 999 6671
Email: info@bhesco.co.uk
Website: www.bhesco.co.uk
Service provided by:
Service funded by:
