 In the last three years alone, total energy debt and arrears in the UK have more than doubled to official estimates of nearly £4.5 billion. Analysis from trade association for the UK energy industry, Energy UK, actually shows that the true figure is around £5.5 billion.
The typical dual-fuel household now pays an extra £50 per year on their energy bill to cover debt related costs, while standard credit customers pay an astonishing £140. We see this story play out with so many of our energy advice customers and our advisors work hard to ensure Londoners know their rights, how to best manage energy debt and how to apply for any benefits they may be eligible for. But more needs to be done. Starting with raising awareness of this huge yet – due to stigma – often hidden issue. If you haven't already, check out this report from Energy UK – Energy debt: Everyone pays. We've summarised some of their key findings below.
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 The UK Government released its Warm Homes Plan in January 2026, announcing its strategy to invest £15 billion to upgrade five million homes and help lift up to one million families out of fuel poverty.
The plan sets out how the UK government will help people find ways to save money on energy bills and transform our ageing building stock into comfortable, low-carbon homes that are fit for the future. But what does it mean for everyday people, in reality?  With rain and cold temperatures firmly on the horizon this month, it's important to focus on ventilation and tackling condensation to help keep your home mould and damp free.
In this blog post, we’ll explore how to keep the air in your home fresh and healthy, and what to do if you do encounter mould in your social rented home.  At CREW Energy, tackling fuel poverty is at the heart of everything we do. That's why this year, as with every other, we want to raise awareness of this ongoing challenge for Londoners.
We believe that everyone deserves to live in a warm, healthy home, regardless of income or circumstance. Through our community-led approach, we deliver free energy advice, home visits, and tailored support to vulnerable households across south-west London. Read on to hear more about fuel poverty and how we're working to alleviate it for our community.  For the third year in a row, CREW Energy has teamed up with Wandsworth Council and Richmond Council to provide Warm Home Packs for eligible residents this winter.
These free packs are designed to help households reduce energy bills by as much as £250 a year and make homes more comfortable during the colder months. Packs include items such as draught excluding tape, a smart plug, and a shower timer.  South London community energy organisations like ours are delivering cleaner and cheaper energy for South London in a wide variety of different ways! We work with partners and funders including local authorities, local and national businesses, government and other third sector organisations to create change in our local area.
Our latest batch of projects with Wandsworth Council is a shining example of just what groups like ours can achieve when we have the support and financial backing of local authorities.  Chances are you already have a carbon monoxide (CO) detector in your home. But when did you last check it was working properly? A recent report found that 95% of CO alarms were not tested in 2024, meaning thousands of households are unwittingly putting themselves at risk of CO poisoning.
Why not take a minute to read some of our tips for CO safety in your home. It could save your life!  Fresh off the back of yet another heatwave, we have a few more tips to help keep your home cool this summer – this time, some recommendations for affordable energy-saving equipment that can help keep out the heat, so you can keep your cool!
 As promised, June was a big month for events in the energy world! We hosted events across Richmond, Wandsworth and Kingston where lots of lovely local people came along to learn more about energy efficiency and the power of community energy.
Our solar event in Ham was attended by 28 locals interested in learning more about a community solar, followed by another 26 Kingston residents who headed to St Andrew's Church in Surbiton to get started on their decarbonisation journey. We topped it off with a community energy event to celebrate London Climate Action Week, where 45 of us headed to the Pump House Gallery in Battersea Park to showcase the work of South London community energy groups! Some key takeaways from us:
Our Pathway Zero events are coming to a close now as we had into summer, but we'll be taking part in some community days across Roehampton this summer, so keep your eyes peeled!  Heatwaves can be dangerous, particularly for the elderly, babies, young children, pregnant women and those with chronic health conditions. People who live in urban areas and on the top floors of buildings can also be vulnerable.
So it’s important to make your home a place to escape from the heat - but it’s not as simple as just opening a window. Here’s our guide to keeping your home cool with some easy to achieve and cost-effective tips |
