Reducing household running costs in order of impact.
32 guides in Money & Practical
The main categories of help with energy costs in the UK, who each is aimed at, and the official places to check the current rules rather than relying on last winter's figures.
The safety net that moves you to a new supplier automatically, what happens to a credit balance, and the two things to do on the day you hear.
The minimum guaranteed speed in your contract, how to evidence a shortfall properly, and the exit right that applies when a provider cannot fix it.
How the main schemes work, who qualifies, and checking a scheme is genuine before letting anyone into the house.
The four things that cause a sudden jump in a metered water bill, the overnight test that finds a hidden leak, and the leak allowance schemes most water companies operate.
A free register that changes how energy and water companies treat a household — what it actually provides, who is eligible, and how to sign up.
Modern machines use a fraction of what people assume, and the figure for your machine is printed in its manual — but the programme you choose changes it more than the machine does.
What emergency credit, standing charge accrual and debt recovery rates actually do on a prepayment meter, and how to avoid the self-disconnection trap.
Interactive calculators — quantities, conversions, costs and sizing — rather than prose.