Energy Efficiency advice

For more information on this scheme contact Council’s Community Health and Wellbeing Team on T: 02825 633394.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you are aged 60 or over you may get a Winter Fuel Payment to help pay for keeping warm in winter. This can be between £100 and £300 depending on your situation.

Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply

Energy Efficiency Advice

Heat the person, not the home

Many households struggling to afford their energy bills may have no choice but to reduce the amount of energy they use by cutting back on heating their home. Whilst this has its own issues, the following information provides advice on keeping warm if you’re at the point of having to cut back on your heating.

Before cutting back on your heating please consider:

Not heating your home properly can contribute to damp issues and frozen pipes if the weather is cold, which can result in hundreds of pounds of damage. The Energy Saving Trust recommends ventilating rooms and having the heating on to some degree during winter. It has full help on fixing damp and condensation, as well as other ways to save on energy at home.

It may be dangerous for older people, or those with asthma and other health conditions. If in doubt, consult your GP and follow their advice.

Rent your home? Check what your tenancy agreement says about heating. Some landlords stipulate you must turn the heating on regularly, or keep the home at a minimum temperature.

Devices to help you warm up

There are lots of devices available which are low cost to use such as heated gloves, electric over blankets, heated slippers. These are generally charged by USB.

Layer up your clothes

Wearing the right clothes can make a huge difference when living in a cooler house. Layering up keeps you warmer than 1 heavier layer –

The baselayer sits directly against your skin and should be close-fitting to lock in heat and take away sweat from your skin. Avoid cotton if possible, as it traps moisture and will cool you down over time. The cheaper alternative options tend to be synthetic fabrics, such as polyester or nylon.

The midlayer - Wearing a second layer will help trap warmth your baselayer hasn't managed to keep in. A lightweight fleece can be a good option. Alternatively, you could opt for a second T-shirt, and wear a fleece or jumper as your third layer.

The outerlayer - For those doing outdoor activities, this is usually a waterproof layer to protect against the elements. You won't need a waterproof indoors (hopefully), but if you're not warm enough in your base and midlayer, you could add an extra jumper or jacket over the top. For extra warmth, a padded/insulated jacket could be a good option.

Eat regularly and have at least one hot meal a day

The NHS says eating regularly will help keep you warm, and you should have one hot meal a day. It also recommends drinking hot drinks regularly. To cut down on electricity when using your kettle only boil enough water for the amount of liquid you need (ensuring the element is covered) or boil a full kettle and fill a flask to keep the hot warm for a number of hours.

Keep your feet warm

It's said that if your feet are cold, the rest of you will feel cold too. Wearing slippers can be essential to staying warm inside, particularly if you have hard floors. Slippers that enclose your feet will keep warmth in better and are safer to wear.

The Energy Saving Trust also recommends putting down rugs or carpets to help your feet stay warm. The key is to place them where you stand often, such as next to the bed. A bathmat can also be handy, to avoid bare feet on a cold bathroom floor. Make sure any new rugs aren't a trip hazard – you can buy separate 'anti-slip' mats or underlay to go underneath and prevent accidents.

Choose the right socks, and consider changing them during the day. If your feet start to feel cold later in the day it could be because your socks have been absorbing sweat. Swap them for a fresh, dry pair, and your feet should start warming up again.

Put your feet up when you’re sitting down - the floor is usually the coldest part of the house.

Warm up by moving around

Gentle exercise can help you stay warm, so try and move around once an hour. Be aware that more strenuous exercise will make your body sweat to try and cool you down, so it's not an ideal solution if you just want to warm up.

The A – Z of Energy Efficiency Advice

Ask for advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home Budget for your fuel bills by using the Oil Stamps Saving Scheme

Close the curtains after dark to keep the heat in Draught proofing your home will reduce heat loss by ~15%

Energy efficient lightbulbs could save you up to £55 per year and switch off any lights that aren’t needed Fix dripping taps – a dripping tap could fill half a bath in a week Gadgets and appliances left on standby account for approx 6% of household energy bills

Have a shower instead of a bath and try to restrict your shower to 5 minutes Insulating cavity walls and loft will greatly reduce heat loss from your home Just boil enough water for a cup of tea or coffee – there’s no need to fill the kettle each time. (Make sure the element is covered.) Keep the hot water cylinder no hotter than 60°C – that’s hot enough for any household use

Laptop computers use approx 15% of the power of a desktop and monitor

Make sure that food is cooled to room temperature before putting it into the fridge or freezer

Never leave the fridge door open longer than necessary and keep the freezer well filled

On colder days, instead of turning up the thermostat, set the heating to come on a little earlier and stay on longer when needed Powering the clock on a microwave can use more power than heating your food – turn it off when not in use

Quick tip: boil water in the kettle and pour it into a saucepan to use for cooking pasta or vegetables – saves time and energy

Radiators should not be covered by curtains, blocked by furniture or used to dry clothes

Service your boiler regularly to ensure its working efficiently Turning your thermostat down by 1°C can cut your heating bills by 10%

Use the half-load or economy programme if not filling the washing machine, tumble dryer or dishwasher When buying new appliances, choose ones with the best energy rating Vulnerable people, including older people and those with chronic disabling conditions, should keep their living room at 21° C Xtra help is available – ask your local Council for details of current grants and schemes