Tenantssave£360,000 in fuel bills after top tips
TENANTS of a city housing association managed to save more than £360,000 on their fuel bills in the last year.
As a service offered to its tenants, Glasgow Housing Association helped to cut their fuel bills.
The social landlord’s fuel advisors’ help also gave pointers to 2200 people on how to make their homes more energy-efficient.
Mark Johnstone, who works for the council’s cleansing department, praised his advisor for the money he saved him.
He received a refund worth hundreds of pounds after the visit.
The 63-year-old, from Carntyne, said: “I have a credit meter and had been paying £60 a month for two years – and was hundreds of pounds in credit.
“The fuel advisor visited me at home and helped sort things out.
“She checked my meter, phoned the supplier and got me a rebate.
“She was absolutely brilliant.
“It only took two weeks and I had the money in my pocket.
“It means I can go on holiday now.”
A total of 2206 tenants used GHA’s fuel advice service between April 2016 and April 2017, and made savings of £362,166.
Bernadette Hewitt, chairwoman of the housing association, said: “At GHA we want to do everything we can to help tenants worried about gas and electricity costs.
“The fuel advice service makes a real difference to people’s lives.
“I’ve used the service myself, so I know how important it is.
“Not only does it help tenants keep warm at home, it helps people save money on their bills too.”
GHA’s fuel advisors provide free expert advice to tenants on how to cut their energy bills while still managing to keep their homes warm.
Advisors can help tenants to access the cheapest tariffs, make low-cost alternative payment arrangements and, depending on their circumstances, even help them have longterm debt written off.
They can also explain more about how small changes in the home can help save costs on bills – including turning down the thermostat by just one degree, keeping the fridge defrosted and in good working condition, turning off lights when not needed and switching to lowenergy lightbulbs.