Energy advice

Higher gas and electricity prices are a worry for many residents and businesses, but there is a lot of support available to reduce energy costs. There are several ways you may be able to reduce your energy costs, including:

• taking simple steps to reduce the energy you use
• making your home more energy efficient
• applying for free help and support

Charities, energy companies and the regulator Ofgem all offer free advice.

Energy Services may also be able to help you access grants or support from a range of schemes.

Save energy at home and reduce your bills

Call Home Energy Advice North East on 0808 175 9345 to speak to an energy advisor about reducing your energy costs or making energy saving home improvements.

You can also request a home visit from an energy advisor:

• if you own your home or rent from a private landlord In-home support · Home Energy Advice North East
• if you rent from the council Energy for the Future
• if you rent from another social landlord please contact them to discuss the support available 

Information on saving energy and reducing your bills at home is available online from many sources. This advice can help you to:

• reduce your energy use - energy saving improvements and tips
• understand your energy bills
• get help if you can't afford your energy bills
• see if you could benefit from having smart meters installed
• find a cheaper deal for your energy

Improve your homes energy performance 

Warm Homes, Local Grant

We have been awarded funding from the Government's Warm Homes Local Grant. The new scheme is expected to start in May 2025, but we will be working through the waiting list from previous schemes first. The scheme will open to new applications later this year, we will advertise the application link when available.

The scheme is available to residents who:

• own their homes or rent from a private landlord; AND
• live in an eligible post code IMD1-2 areas, OR have a gross household income of £36,000 per year or less; AND
• live in homes with a low energy rating (EPC of D/E/F/G.) EPCs will be provided by the scheme if required.

The scheme can fund measures such as wall, loft and floor insulation, low carbon heating and solar panels. 

Watch Rosemary's story 

Air Source Heat Pump funding

Government grants of up to £7,500 towards an air source heat pump, check the Boiler Upgrade Scheme guidance and  how to apply.

Sign up for Priority Services

If you need additional support, for example in the event of a power cut, you can get extra help from your energy supplier(s) and the network operators via the Priority Services Register.

If you sign up with your energy supplier they will, with your consent, be able to share your information with the network operator, or you can sign up directly with Northern Powergrid and Northern Gas Networks

Boiler replacements

Residents can be referred to a broken boiler scheme if: (Please note these schemes are currently all closed)

• they are a home owner with a gas boiler that does not work; AND
• someone in the household is aged over 65 OR aged under 5 OR suffering from cancer, terminal illness, cardiovascular or respiratory condition,  disability (affecting mobility) or a mental health condition.

Older inefficient boilers could also be replaced under the Energy Company Obligation ECO4 (see Other Financial Support.) This depends on your household income, the energy rating of your property (EPC D or below) and the age, make and model of your boiler. 

Please contact us if you need help to replace a boiler. We would need to know your household income and your boiler make and model before we can advise you.

Energy advice and grants

Our Energy Services team provides expert advice and support for residents and businesses in Newcastle.

This includes work to:

• improve energy efficiency
• help households to keep warm at a reasonable cost (reduce fuel poverty)
• offer energy saving and fuel debt advice
• if you rent from the council we can help resolve energy supplier problems on your behalf

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) 

ECO4 supports low income and vulnerable households to improve their homes with a range of energy efficiency measures, helping to meet the Government's fuel poverty and net zero commitments. Contact your energy supplier or a local installer to apply for ECO4

Check eligibility and apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly known as ECO+) GBIS supports the ECO4 scheme in the delivery of predominantly single insulation measures, such as wall and loft insulation, targeted at a wider range of households. 

Local authorities can use flexible eligibility (LA flex) to support low income households who do not meet the benefits eligibility criteria of the schemes.

• Statement of intent for GBIS and ECO4 flexible eligibility - published 07/02/25
• Statement of Intent for GBIS and ECO4 flexible eligibility - withdrawn 06/02/25
• Statement of Intent for ECO4 flexible eligibility - withdrawn 31/08/23Free business energy audit

Advice for landlords and tenants

Our private rented service offers free advice and support to help landlords ensure their properties meet legal requirements.

They also can support tenants who have problems with energy efficiency or heating systems.

Find out more on our minimum energy efficiency standards page.

If you rent your home from the council you can access extra support, including an energy saving check up.

Help with prepayment energy costs

Please note: the council cannot help with prepayment top ups.

If your prepayment meters are about to run out of credit and you don't have any funds to top up, you should contact your energy supplier and ask for help. Your supplier should be able to issue a credit voucher or extend your emergency credit.

If your supplier tells you that they are unable to help, then you can ask the Citizens Advice extra help unit to speak to them on your behalf:

• phone the Citizens Advice consumer helpline: 0808 223 1133
• complete the extra help unit online referral form (do not use this option if you need help the same day)

Extra help with your energy bills

These payments should be made automatically if you are eligible, you should not need to apply, including:

• Warm Home Discount scheme £150 off electricity bills (you can no longer apply for the low income broader group)
  • Warm Home Discount eligibility checker
• Winter Fuel Payment for those born before 23/09/1958 (from winter 2024 you also need to be receiving an eligible benefit)
• Cold Weather Payments when the temperature drops below zero for 7 days

Advice for businesses

The energy regulator Ofgem offers a general guide to business gas and electricity use. 

Small and medium sized businesses in Newcastle can also apply for a free energy audit through our business energy saving team (BEST)

This will:

• identify potential energy improvements and savings
• develop a plan to help you achieve them
• help your firm access funding for energy improvements
• cut your greenhouse gas emissions

Please note that while the first phase of the BEST programme is now complete, businesses can also continue to register their interest, for potential future support.

Other reports

We regularly submit reports to the Government demonstrating what we have done to improve the energy performance of homes in our area. 

To read our latest report see:

• Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) report - 2023 progress report 

Contact Energy Services

If you have been unable to find the support you need please contact us:

• email our domestic advice team (for homes) please include your full postal address and a description of the support required
• email our utilities advice team (for businesses and all other non domestic advice)