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18 January 2010

Winter Energy Saving Tips

TIPS THAT HELP YOU SPEND LESS

  1. 1. Turn your thermostat down by just 1 degree – it can cut your fuel bills by 10%
  2. 2. Don’t put hot or warm food in the fridge and try not to put the fridge next to a cooker or boiler
  3. 3. Use the low temperature programme on your dishwasher and washing machine
  4. 4. Don’t overfill the kettle
  5. 5. Avoid leaving computers and TVs and other appliances on standby
  6. 6. Fit energy-saving lightbulbs
  7. 7. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping
  8. 8. Fit a jacket on your hot water cylinder if it does not already have one
  9. 9. Take a shower instead of a bath – it uses less water

USEFUL NUMBERS

Check inside for key numbers but you may also want to contact:
Low Carbon Buildings Programme 0800 915 0990
The Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99

WEBSITES
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk
www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
www.warmfront.co.uk
www.lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk
The Energy Saving Trust also advises using a site such as www.uswitch.com (0800 404 7961) or www.energyhelpline.com (0800 074 0745) to see which company offers the best general tariffs for you, and then you check with that provider to see if they offer additional tariffs.


INSULATION GRANTS and FREE INSULATION IF YOU ARE OVER 70 Energy Saving Trust 0800 512 012

Every household is entitled to 50% off the cost of installing loft or cavity wall insulation and householders over 70 can get insulated for free. Insulation can reduce fuel bills by up to £200 a year. It only takes a few hours to carry this out on a three bedroom house and the walls can be done from the outside.

You can install loft insulation yourself; if you already have it, check its thickness: you might need another layer to make a real difference to your home’s heat loss.

WARM FRONT GRANTS for home heating. Call Eaga on Freephone 0800 316 2805 or Textphone 0800 072 0156

“In Slough over £2.3million worth of work already done”
Grants of up to £2,700 targeted towards people on low and fixed incomes can fund major improvements to your home heating system, including insulation, hot water tank insulation, gas room heaters with thermostat controls, timer controls for electric space and water heaters. Depending on the scale of works, your bills can be reduced by up to £500 per year. In Slough 1250 pensioner households, 700 households with children and over 400 disabled people have been helped.

Call Eaga Partnership (the company that currently runs the Warm Front Scheme for the government) to find out if you are eligible for a warm front grant.

MICROGENERATION GRANTS
0800 915 0990 or email info@lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk

You can generate your own energy! Think about installing a mini-wind turbine or solar panel in your roof with a grant worth up to £2,500.

BOILER SCRAPPAGE SCHEME
Energy Saving Trust 0800 512 012
125,000 landlords and homeowners can receive a £400 cash incentive voucher towards supply and fit of a new boiler when scrapping an old boiler which is G-rated or less. If you are a pensioner or on a low income, apply for a Warm Front Grant first as you may be eligible for more financial help. Energy Saving Trust (EST) require confirmation of the qualified installer, that they have visited your home or property to make assessment and provided an approved quotation, together with details of the existing G-rated boiler being replaced.

WINTER FUEL PAYMENTS – tax free to residents over 60
08459 151 515, textphone 0845 601 5613 – Monday to Friday

Introduced by our Government in 1997. This is a standard payment of £250 to households with a member aged 60-79 and a standard payment of £400 for households with a member aged 80 and over.

If you receive a state pension you should automatically receive a winter fuel payment. If you have any queries ring the Helpline

COLD WEATHER PAYMENTS – paid to people on low incomes
Jobcentre Plus – 023 8071 3600 or Pension Service 0845 606 0265

Payments are usually £15 per week.

If you receive Pension Credit, Income Support or Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance and have a child under five years old you are eligible. If you get pensioner premium, higher pensioner premium, enhanced pensioner premium, disability premium, disabled child premium or severe disability premium you are eligible.

You don’t need to apply; you’ll get a cold weather payment automatically if you qualify. For more information call the above number.

There are three weather stations involved in providing temperature information for our town so do not assume that because you know someone in Slough who has received it that you will also receive a payment.

SOCIAL TARIFFS – cheaper rates for those on low or fixed incomes
Energy companies are now obliged to offer some of social tariffs, these aren’t always widely available. That is why I have pressed for legislation which is going through Parliament now to stop penalty charges for people who have prepayment meters, Contact your energy provider to see what social tariffs they offer.

SWITCH PROVIDERS
You may be able to reduce your bills by switching your energy provider. Always check for extras or hidden charges but there may be a company offering something better that suits your needs

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