Energy & utilities
Wyldecrest gets smarter!
Here at Wyldecrest, we are continuously looking to improve our parks and systems, to make you, our residents lead a happier and easier life.
As part of our commitment to a more sustainable environment and supporting our residents, our vision for energy costs is to work alongside you to minimise hassles and maximise value around your energy costs and usage.
Smarter metering and technology solutions are key tools in making this vision a reality. Accurate, reliable data collection is essential to overcoming energy-related challenges. To gather the necessary data, we propose installing MID approved meters with remote functionality to capture detailed and accurate information on your energy consumption.
Benefits For You – Save Up To 10% on Your Energy Bill!
These advanced meter solutions provide a range of potential for you to save time, money and hassle around energy in your home;
– Accurate, real-time data at a glance from your phone or connected device
– Daily, weekly, or monthly reporting – putting control into your hands to start saving
– Understand consumption to identify easy changes to start saving
– Reduce the chance of billing inaccuracies – so you only pay for what you actually use- no estimated usage
– Benefitting from multi- tariff rates where present so that you can avoid peak times of usage
– Set thresholds and get alerts to prevent overspending and control budgets
We have partnered with Smarter Technologies Trading (STT) to upgrade meters across our properties – unlocking the potential for energy savings and simplified billing.
Data security
Once the monitoring equipment is installed, you can access your data via a handy app. You will be notified prior to works starting on your park with further detailed information.
Why would I want a MID approved meter?
We are helping to create a greener energy system and crack down on energy wastage. We look forward to working with you for a smarter, more environmentally friendly approach to energy.
For further FAQ’s please Click Here
Summer is finally here!
It’s officially the first day of summer (20/06/2024) with a heatwave expected over the coming weeks. We know people can use more water than normal when it’s hot, for things like watering plants, filling up large paddling pools or bathing in cold water to escape the heat! When we all use more water at the same time, it can sometimes lead to lower water pressure on our parks. So, keep mindful, avoid peak usage times and minimise water usage when water is not needed, i.e., turning off that running tap when washing up for example!
Extra care in high temperatures - Priority Services Register
Water suppliers can offer extra support during a water supply incident by signing up to the free Priority Services Register. This changes for each postcode, but can be checked who to contact using the below website:
https://www.water.org.uk/customers/find-your-supplierÂ
This will direct you to the correct water wholesaler page to enter your details, (including any medical conditions you may have) so the support you require is given.
This doesn’t stop here with water suppliers!
Both the gas and electricity networks will also provide the same free of charge service once registered in those crucial times of power cuts or gas leaks!
To check the network operator for both gas and electricity, please use the below website with your postcode:
https://www.energynetworks.org/customers/find-my-network-operatorÂ
This will direct you to the correct page to search ‘Priority Services Register’ and apply.
This register is important for any of you with vital health needs, such as; Oxygen, Medical Equipment and Mental Health support to name a few in times of outages.
Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation
You might be able to get help for energy-saving improvements to your home if you either:
- claim certain benefits and live-in private housing (for example you own your home or rent from a private landlord).
- live in social housing.
You may get help with the cost of:
- insulation work, for example to your loft or cavity walls
- replacing or repairing your boiler – or other upgrades to your heating
If you claim benefits and live-in private housing
You might be eligible for help if you live in private housing and get one of the following benefits:
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
If you own your house, it must have an energy efficiency rating of D, E, F or G to be eligible.
If you rent from a private landlord, the house must have an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G to be eligible. You must have the owner’s permission to do the work.
Use the energy performance certificate register to find your property’s energy efficiency rating, or ask your landlord.
Apply for help
Contact your local council to find out if they’re taking part in the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, or contact an energy supplier directly as this scheme is valid until 31 March 2026.
Energy Saving Tips
Keep an eye on your lights
- Turn lights off when you leave a room, but not at the expense of your safety – keep stairs and other areas well-lit to reduce your risk of falling.
- Replacing traditional light bulbs with LED bulbs will save you money.Â
Switch off appliances now and again
- Switch appliances off when they’re not in use rather than leaving them on standby. But you shouldn’t turn off your fridge or freezer, as this could mean your food goes off sooner than it should.
- Defrost your freezer every six months – this will ensure it runs efficiently.
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Have a look at your windows
- Make sure doors and windows are draught-proofed to stop heat from escaping. To do this, fit draught-proofing strips and draught excluders around doors, seal gaps around window frames and add covers to letterboxes and keyholes.Â
- Double-glazing also stops heat from escaping, as well as minimising noise from the outside – you could save money on your heating bills if you install it throughout your home. You can choose to double-glaze the rooms you use and heat most often to keep installation costs down.
Major energy saving changes for your home
- Insulating roof and loft spaces can really reduce heat loss in your home and save you over £200 per year. Most homes have some loft insulation but often not enough. Topping up your loft insulation will make your home warmer and save you money on your energy bills.
- If your home has cavity walls – a space between the inner and outer layers of brick – they can be insulated. Insulating your cavity walls will make your home feel warmer and in a typical home cavity wall insulation can save between £100-£200 a year.
Cut down your water bill
- Shower instead of taking a bath – a short shower can use a third of the amount of water needed for a bath. If it’s easier for you to take baths, consider not filling the tub all the way – the average full bath uses 80 litres of water.
- Fix any dripping taps – a dripping tap can waste the equivalent of half a bath a week and it’ll cost you extra if you’re on a water meter.
- Do the washing up in a bowl rather than under running water to save money. For hot drinks, only boil the amount of water you need.
Control the temperatures in your home
- Run the washing machine at a lower temperature – you can often do everyday washes at 30°C. Washing clothes at 30°C uses around 40% less electricity over a year than washing at higher temperatures.
- Use your heating controls, such as thermostats and timers, to heat your home without wasting energy.
- Make sure you keep your living room (or whichever room you use most) warm during the day while you’re at home at 21°C (70°F). Heat your bedroom to 18°C (64°F) before you go to bed. If there are rooms you don’t use, like a spare bedroom, turn off the radiators in them and close the doors.
- Keep radiators and heaters clear so hot air can circulate. Don’t forget to draw your curtains and tuck them behind radiators to minimise heat loss.
Winter Fuel Payment
You could be entitled to an annual one-off payment of £100-£300 depending on how old you are, who you live with and any benefits you receive.
If you’re over State Pension age – which is currently 66 years old – and receive the State Pension then you should be paid automatically.
Payments are usually made between November and December.
Click Here for more information.
Warm Home Discount (Gov UK)
You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2024 under the:
To qualify you need to either:
- Get the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
- And/Or have a low income.
- This will reopen in October 2024. Click Here for full details
References
For further information, please visit the below sites which we have used to source the information within this help guide:
Age UK
https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/money-legal/debt-savings/energy/energy-saving-tips/
Last updated: 10 April 2023
Energy saving tips to reduce energy bills
Viewed 07/07/2023
