The Consumer Council for Northern Ireland has launched a major public information campaign to encourage households to switch on to savings and take practical steps to reduce their energy bills as winter kicks in.

The Switch On to Savings campaign – launched to coincide with the clocks going back on October 25 and signalling the official start of winter – is designed to highlight the practical steps, tools and advice already available to help bring energy costs down.

Switch On to Savings

Bills for gas and some electricity suppliers rose sharply at the beginning of October. Home heating oil costs have almost doubled since the start of the year, dramatically adding to cost-of-living pressures and household affordability, particularly for those on lower incomes.

Raymond Gormley Head of Energy Policy at the Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, which champions and protects the interests of consumers, said: “This winter, many Northern Ireland homes could potentially face a problem around energy affordability, with many people wondering how they will be able to heat their homes adequately as the colder weather and dark nights begin to set in.

“At a time when household budgets are being stretched, it is important that consumers know where they can make some savings. From shopping around for the best home heating oil prices and checking electricity and gas tariffs to making small changes in how we use energy at home, there are a wide range of practical steps that can help reduce bills.

“While global wholesale energy costs remain outside consumers’ control, there are ways to manage utility costs and it is important that everyone has access to the information, advice and support they need to make informed choices. This includes using the Consumer Council’s free electricity and gas comparison tools to check if money can be saved by switching tariffs. If you are reliant on home heating oil for heating, have a look at our daily oil price checker so you know how much a top-up will cost and if prices are going up or down on previous days and weeks.

“Our message is simple: don’t pay more than you need to and use our free online tools to help make every penny count.”

The Consumer Council provides a range of tools and comparison services on its website to help households save on their electricity, gas and home heating oil. The daily and weekly oil price checker tool is designed to help consumers make more informed decisions as to when is the best time to buy home heating oil by monitoring average prices for 300, 500 and 900 litres in various locations through the country.

The Consumer Council is encouraging households to explore the financial assistance, energy efficiency schemes and budgeting initiatives that may help them manage their energy bills this winter, such as the Home Heating Oil Support Scheme that provides a £100 digital voucher to help those households with heating oil costs.

Additional support and practical options to explore include:

Home heating oil support: A £100 payment for certain eligible households, subject to the scheme’s qualifying criteria and availability.
Energy efficiency grants: The Affordable Warmth Scheme and the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) offer fully or partially funded insulation and heating improvements, including boiler replacement, for qualifying households.
Oil buying clubs: Community buying schemes that allow households to purchase home heating oil collectively, potentially securing better prices.
Oil savings stamps: Initiatives such as the St Vincent de Paul oil savings stamp scheme, helping households put money aside towards future home heating oil purchases.
Payment cards and fuel stamp schemes: Budgeting options that allow consumers to save or top up funds regularly, including schemes operated in some council areas.
Winter budgeting advice: Free information and practical guidance available through the Consumer Council website to help households plan their energy spending and explore ways to reduce costs.
Dispute resolution: A free, independent dispute resolution service, helping consumers resolve complaints with their energy providers and ensuring concerns are heard and addressed fairly.

“Help is available, savings are possible, and households should avail of various types of support that is out there,” Raymond Gormley said. “We hope that everyone will use that extra hour when the clocks go back to visit the website and see the practical support which is available.”

Further information on the additional support can be found here: Support with high energy costs | Consumer Council