I save hundreds of pounds on energy bills by living off the grid

A MUM-OF-TWO has cut her energy bills by going off-grid, saving her up to £750 a month.

Gas and electricity costs are sky-high but some Britons have cut the money they spend by moving out of traditional homes.

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Lindsay, 41, moved into a caravan last June as she was struggling to make ends meet in her rented home.

She has moved out of her three-bed semi-home to a £1,800 static home on a plot near York to help keep costs down.

The move has helped the self-employed writer cut her bill from more than £1,000 a month to £250 in land rent, The Mirror reported.

Since the swap, she’s used up a bottle of Calor gas in about seven months, for just £60.

Power is provided on site and included in the £60 per week rent.

Lindsay, of Universal Credit, told the newspaper: “The homes I’m looking at cost £800 a month plus bills. I have to pay around £140 a month to heat my semi-three bed… huge financial pressure.

“There are some landlords who just say no because I am a freelance entrepreneur. I felt discriminated against and thought, “Why would I work so hard to pay for a system that feels broken?”

She’s not the only one switching from a traditional home to a new, cheaper lifestyle.

About 150,000 people across the country are reported to be self-sufficient in generating electricity and heating.

Matthew Plumb, 43, and his girlfriend Lauren Youngs, 28, also saved money by moving into a shepherd’s hut four years ago.

Their total monthly spending on heat, electricity, water and rent is less than £25.

Matthew, a tree surgeon, said: “It costs me no rent, no electricity because we get all we need from solar panels and around £25 every six weeks for propane gas.”

How can I get help with my energy bills?

If you’re hoping to save money on your energy bill, but you’re not ready to go grid, you can take smaller steps.

Winter fuel payment

You can get up to £300 off your fuel bill during the coldest months of the year with annual tax-free benefits available.

You are eligible for the money if you were born on or before 5 October 1954 or you live in the UK for at least one day of the week from 21 to 27 September 2020 – known as the “eligibility week”. “.

Cold weather payment

Low-income households can get £25 a week to help pay their winter energy bills thanks to cold weather payment plan too.

You will receive a payment if the average temperature in your area is 0 degrees Celsius or lower over a one-week period.

You must receive retirement credit, income support, jobseeker’s allowance, support and income-related employment benefits, or General Credit eligible.

Apply for a grant

If you’re having a hard time, you can apply for subsidies to help cover energy costs.

British Gas Energy Trust run a show and you don’t even need to be a customer to sign up.