E.ON Next has announced the launch of its Warm Home Discount scheme for the winter of 2024/25, offering eligible customers £150 per household towards their energy bills. With the increasing pressure on household budgets, the initiative arrives as E.ON UK advocates for a new approach to long-term energy affordability.
£150 Towards Energy Bills for Vulnerable Customers
The Warm Home Discount provides immediate financial support to households struggling with their energy costs. Eligible E.ON Next customers will receive a one-off £150 payment, which will be credited directly to their electricity bills, helping them manage heating expenses during the colder months.
Chris Norbury, CEO of E.ON UK, commented on the initiative:
As the colder months approach, it’s crucial that we extend support to our most vulnerable customers. We continue to work closely with the Government on industry-wide solutions, but it’s clear that we need a better, more sustainable way to ensure energy is not a significant cause of poverty but becomes a lever to lift people out of it.”
E.ON’s Pilot Scheme in Coventry
In addition to the Warm Home Discount, E.ON is piloting a new approach in Coventry, where the company is addressing both short-term energy affordability and long-term energy efficiency. The scheme focuses on clearing energy debt for vulnerable customers while installing energy solutions, such as home batteries, energy-efficient appliances, and insulation improvements. These measures not only provide immediate relief but also help reduce energy consumption and costs over the years.
Norbury elaborated: “Our pilot scheme in Coventry demonstrates how we can transform people’s relationship with energy. By addressing energy debt and installing energy-efficient solutions, we can break the cycle of high energy bills and create lasting benefits. Scaling this initiative nationwide could revolutionise energy affordability.”
Long-Term Benefits of Energy Innovation
E.ON’s innovative approach shows the potential for a new way of supporting households. By providing a free battery in homes, the upfront cost matches the £150 payment from the Warm Home Discount, but the energy savings from the battery could exceed £250 annually. For homes not yet suitable for energy solutions, traditional support payments will continue.
Norbury added: “By combining immediate action with long-term energy solutions, we can break the cycle of unaffordable energy bills. Future innovations, such as energy trading from stored battery power, offer even greater financial benefits for customers.”
The Importance of Warm Home Discount Scheme
The Warm Home Discount scheme plays a crucial role in supporting low-income households during the winter months. It is funded by energy suppliers and provides a one-off £150 credit applied directly to electricity bills.
Who is Eligible?
In England and Wales, two Core Groups are eligible for the discount:
- Core Group 1: Customers receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit.
- Core Group 2: Customers on means-tested benefits with high heating costs.
In Scotland, the scheme applies to the Core Group and a Broader Group, who must apply for support.
How to Apply
Eligible customers will be contacted by the government before January 2025, and the £150 will be applied to their electricity bills by March 2025. Customers who believe they qualify but have not been contacted should visit the Government’s Warm Home Discount website http://eonnext.com/warm-home-discount
