Save money on energy bills with the free Energy Saver App
Save money on energy bills with the free Energy Saver App – and gain access to a trial offering solar panels and batteries on a subscription basis
Many of us are worried about the cost of energy, with the price cap rising by 1% this January.
Help is at hand with Oxfordshire County Council’s free Energy Saver App.
It puts you in control of the energy you use and so helps save you money. The council estimate, on average, households will save 8% a year, or more than £200, off your energy bill. Anyone can download and use the Energy Saver App, as long as you have a smart energy meter.
It doesn’t matter whether you own or rent your home or which energy supplier you use. And you won’t need to change your supplier to use the app.
You can use the App to:
- Pinpoint power hungry appliances and get real-time energy spike alerts: see what makes up your usage, as the app works by connecting to your smart meter to give you access to its data.
- Get personalised, actionable tips: for example, check if you’re using energy when you shouldn’t be (when you’re on holiday, or asleep), as well as tips where a small investment could lead to big savings on your energy bills.
- Set yourself a budget: get notified on how you’re doing.
- Find out about the best tariff for your energy needs: compare deals, make the switch and enjoy lower bills in minutes! A typical household will save an average of over £100 a year by switching.
‘It gives a much better insight into our electricity use than the smart meter does – recommend!’ (App user)
Access to solar and heat pumps
Users can also be in with a chance to join a government trial of affordable solar PV, and air source heat pumps.
Currently, if you get the App you can also express an interest in taking part in a government-backed trial to get solar panels, heat pumps or batteries. Instead of spending thousands of pounds upfront, householders pay a low-cost monthly fee (around £40 for a typical three-bedroom home). Installation is free.
For now, the scheme runs until the end of March 2025, so have a look now if you’re interested. The Council is working with government to extend the trial.
‘We’ve been keen on solar panels, but the cost has always been prohibitive.’ ‘This scheme is just brilliant because you’re not having to pay out a big lump sum but you’re getting all the benefits.’ (Barbara and John Hall in Upper Tadmarton)
Who will see my energy data?
There’s no catch – as a local authority you can trust Oxfordshire County Council to take your data seriously. It does not look at your individual usage or sell on your data.
The Energy Saver App itself is available thanks to funding from the government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
Download the Energy Saver App: