Temperatures have dropped, and energy bills are rising again. It’s a tough time of year for grant-giving organisations and the people they support, and many households will find themselves in need of support to cope with the financial burden of higher energy bills and keep themselves and their homes warm throughout the winter months.
1. Support with bills
At the beginning of October, the energy price cap rose again, pushing the average energy bill up by about 10%. With the price cap predicted to rise again in January, support with energy bills is needed now more than ever to help low-income households through the winter months.
Granting energy vouchers is one way to provide rapid, short-term support to households in urgent need of financial help. FFBS can work with your organisation to distribute energy vouchers directly to beneficiaries via SMS or email within 1 day, ensuring that no one is left waiting for support.
2. Energy efficient home improvements
While energy vouchers are a great way to offer short-term support, helping beneficiaries to make energy efficient improvements to their homes can help them reduce heat loss and lower their energy bills long-term.
Energy efficient improvements could include fitting underlay and carpets, insulating pipes and water tanks, using draught excluders, installing reflective foil behind radiators, and swapping to LED lightbulbs.
With a £100 home voucher, beneficiaries could purchase these items:
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- Underlay from Wickes, £26
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- Self-adhesive draught seal from B&Q, £4.89
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- Door draught excluders from Wickes, £5.50
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- Pipe insulation from B&Q, £19.70 for 10m
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- Radiator reflector foil from Screwfix, £7.51
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- LED lightbulbs from Screwfix, £8.98
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- Water tank jacket from B&Q, £22
Our Home Vouchers give access to all these home improvement retailers and more, empowering beneficiaries to make small changes that make a big difference.
3. Soft furnishings
If making adjustments to the home isn’t feasible, then soft furnishings are another good way to help beneficiaries keep warm. Items like carpets, curtains and rugs can reduce heat loss from the home and bedding and blankets can help people keep themselves warm.
4. Warm clothing
Whether your beneficiaries need a new winter coat or warm clothing to wear at home, granting a clothing voucher this winter will keep beneficiaries warm and ease the financial burden of purchasing new clothing.
5. Energy efficient appliances
Did you know that running inefficient or faulty appliances can add over £100 to energy bills every year? Therefore, replacing old white goods with newer, more energy efficient models can lower your beneficiaries’ energy bills. Another option is granting small appliances, like air fryers and microwaves, which use less energy than ovens and mean that beneficiaries can cook themselves a hot meal without worrying about the bills.
A recent addition to FFBS’ range of appliances are dehumidifiers, which reduce damp in homes and prevent harmful mould growing – whilst also making rooms feel warmer and clothes dry faster. Dehumidifiers are especially important for beneficiaries who may be putting their heating on less, as cold homes are particularly susceptible to damp.
FFBS has over a decade of experience working with grant-giving organisations to distribute support to people in need. Get in touch here to find out how we can work with your organisation to support beneficiaries through the winter months and beyo