Save money and protect the environment by making your home more energy efficient.

• How to use less fuel and save money
• Lighting and appliances
• Reduce Heating Costs
• Insulation
• Glazing
• Getting the best price for fuel
• Grants and schemes
• Who can help

How to use less fuel and save money

Very few homes are operating at their highest level of fuel efficiency. Although this is creating a great deal of excess emissions, it also ensures that there is plenty of room for improvement. It is likely that by making some simple changes to how your home and family operate, you will be able to reduce the amount of fuel you consume and save money in the end.

Lighting

There are several great reasons to switch to energy efficient light bulbs. First, energy efficient bulbs last up to 10 times longer than their traditional counterparts do. This means less time spent changing bulbs and fewer occasions when your room is left in the dark.

These bulbs work by using less electricity but give the same light output as other bulbs and therefore save money. In fact, you can save around £5.00 – £10.00 on each light over a year depending on usage.

Appliances

If the appliances in your home are growing older, you are likely throwing away unnecessary money to run them. Consider replacing your washing machine, tumble dryer, dishwasher, or fridge with a more energy efficient model.

‘A’ rated appliances are the most energy efficient and although these appliances may cost more, they do save you money in the end because they cost significantly less to operate.

Save On Laundry

You can save big every time you wash clothes by following these simple steps

• Always wait until you have a full load
• Use the 40 degree wash whenever possible
• Maintain your washer’s good health and keep it running efficiently by running an empty 60 degree cycle with 200 ml of white vinegar every 2 months
• Replace your washer and dryer with ‘A’ rated energy efficient models

Reduce Heating Costs

Heating our homes is one of the biggest consumers of fuel, and therefore on of the largest contributors to a high-energy bill. Therefore, the first step towards a more energy efficient home is to replace an old boiler. Replacing an old boiler with a new energy efficient model can mean reducing your fuel use by up to 40%.

You should also consider upgrading your thermostats. A thermostat that lets you program the desired temperature for each room and time of day will keep your home comfortable and you wallet full.

Insulation

Most homes suffer from some degree of unnecessary heat loss, and when heat is escaping through your doors, windows, walls, and roof it is taking your money with it. By ensuring that your home is properly insulated you will keep more of the costly heat in and improve the comfort level of your home.

Here are some ways to keep heat from escaping:

• Place insulation in cavity walls, and render or cladding on solid ones
• Insulate your loft with 150-200 mm thick insulation
• Seal your windows with double glazing, secondary glazing, or taped polythene
• Install insulation or lagging around your hot water cylinders and pipes
• Fill gaps in floorboards

Glazing

A lot of heat is lost through windows, so double-glazing can be an effective way to make savings on fuel bills in the long term. Double-glazing helps insulate the home in two ways: first, if stops heat from escaping through the window, and second, it reduces the amount of condensation. As an added bonus, double-glazing can also reduce outside noise.

Although glazing is an expensive upgrade for a home, it is also very effective at reducing fuel costs, making it a good investment. Still, it is a good idea to contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre for advice.

As an alternative to double-glazing, secondary glazing is cheaper and can be bought from DIY shops. The savings are similar with both techniques.

Finally, a low cost and temporary alternative to buying new glazing is to tape polythene across your existing windows. You can use cling film or buy special products from a DIY store. Although this technique will limit heat loss to an extent, it is not as effective as glazing.

Paying the Lowest Fuel Rate

You may also find that you can lower your homes fuel costs by shopping around for a new provider. For example, if your electricity and gas come from two different sources you should consider combining them. Many fuel companies now operate dual fuel schemes, which can save you money if you buy both gas and electricity from that supplier. For more information about changing your fuel supplier, visit Ofgem’s (The Office of Gas and Electricity markets) website.

You can also receive information about changing fuel suppliers from EnergyWatch, which is available on 08459 060708. This helpline connects homeowners to their local office, which can provide general information and advice about a change of fuel supplier. You can also contact the General Consumer Council in Northern Ireland on 028 9067 2488, for similar advice.

Grants and schemes

The grants and schemes available vary from region to region, and are provided by a variety of organizations.

In addition to government funds, many independent fuel companies and local authorities operate grants and schemes, as well as provide energy efficiency advice. For example, such grants are available for work connected to most energy saving measures, including, in some circumstances, the provision of gas or electric central heating. Grants can also be given for low-energy light bulbs. In some circumstances and in areas of high risk of crime, security improvements like door and window locks may also be provided.

One of the biggest schemes for home energy efficiency is known as Warm Front England, Warm Deal in Scotland, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in Wales and the Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland. This is a government-funded scheme, which provides energy advice and grants. The grants can be used to cover the costs of home insulation and to improve energy efficiency for certain groups of people including those on low incomes.

This scheme is available to both those who own their own home and those who rent their accommodations. In addition, for those situations where the grant does not meet the full costs incurred to cover the materials and work, a hardship fund is available in England to help with extra funds.

For more information about this and other schemes, you can contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre. This office can be found on freefone 0800 512 012 or the Energy Savings Trust website at www.est.co.uk.

In England – the Warm Front Scheme

Residents of England are eligible for a Warm Front grant if they meet any of the following conditions:

• have children under 16 and are getting Child Benefit, or if they have a maternity certificate and are receiving one of more of the following – Council Tax Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit
• are receiving one or more of the following – Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which includes Constant Attendance Allowance), or War Disablement Pension (which must include the mobility or Constant Attendance Allowance)
• are receiving one or more of the following – Housing Benefit, Income Support, or Council Tax Benefit, when they include a disability premium
• are 60 or over and are receiving Council Tax Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Housing Benefit, or Pension Credit.

If you are receiving Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, you can contact your local Energy Efficiency Centre to find out whether you qualify for a Warm Front grant.

Wales – Home Energy Efficiency Scheme

Homeowners in Wales who have children under 16 are eligible for a Home Energy Efficiency Scheme as long as you meet the following criteria: you must be receiving child benefit and one or more of the following – income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, or income based jobseekers allowance.

In addition, if you meet any of the following conditions you may be eligible for the enhanced grant – Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Plus -

• Your household receives one or more of the following types of assistance- disability living allowance, attendance allowance, war disablement pension (which must include the mobility or constant attendance allowance), industrial injuries disablement benefit (which includes constant attendance allowance), Pension Credit
• Your household receives one or more of the following with a disability premium – income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit.
• You are a lone parent household with a child under 16, and you receive one or more of the following – income support, council tax benefit, housing benefit, and income-based jobseeker’s allowance.
• You are a lone parent household with a child under 16 who is the recipient of a disability living allowance

Moreover, if you are a homeowner in Wales, and are aged 60 years or over, you may be entitled to a grant for renovations and work to improve your home’s efficiency.

In Scotland – the Warm Deal scheme

Homeowners in Scotland may be eligible for the Warm Deal Scheme, which includes a range of grants to help improve your home’s efficiency. You can learn more about these grants by visiting www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/OlderPeople/Homeimprovements/Warmdeal.

In Northern Ireland – the Warm Homes Grant

Homeowners in Northern Ireland are eligible for assistance from the Warm Homes Grant if they, or their spouse, meet any of the following criteria.

• Have a child under 16 and are the recipients of one or more of the following benefits: Housing Benefit, Income Support, Rate Rebate or income based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Have a child under 16, and are in receipt of a maternity certificate plus one or more of these benefits: Rate Rebate, Housing Benefit, Income Support or income based Job Seeker’s Allowance
• Receive one or more of the following benefits with a disability premium: Housing Benefit, Income Support, or Rate Rebate
• Receive one or more of the following benefits: Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which must include constant care allowance or a war disablement pension with either Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement).

Householders aged 60 or over, may also be eligible for the enhanced Warm Front Plus Grant if they receive one or more of the following benefits: Income Support, Housing Benefit, Rate Rebate or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance.

How much are you eligible to receive?

The amount of money available for each scheme varies depending on your location, but does range from £500 to £5,000. In England, you might get an extra payment from the Warm Front Scheme hardship fund to help cover costs if they are more than the maximum grant. For more information about the Warm Front hardship fund, visit the EAGA website at www.eaga.co.uk or phone 0800 408 0694.

For more information Details about home energy efficiency schemes, and how to apply, are available by calling your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on freephone 0800 512 012. For other grants, contact your local authority or energy supplier and find out if they have information. You can also phone the Energy Saving Trust on 0845 727 7200 to ask about grants and schemes in your area. In Northern Ireland, visit the EAGA website at www.eaga.co.uk.

The Scottish Executive Central Heating programme

In Scotland, you may be able to benefit from free central heating and home insulation under the Scottish Executive Central Heating Programme. This covers owner-occupiers, tenants of private property owners and public sector tenants.

If you are a tenant of a local authority or housing association, you can get free central heating if your house has no central heating. Insulation may also be installed. Priority is given to those tenants who are aged 75 or over, live alone or are disabled or are long term sick. The property owner will identify which properties qualify and will contact any tenant who is able to benefit.

Local authority tenants who have a partially centrally heated house may have the system replaced or upgraded to whole house central heating. Priority will be given to householders or their partners who are disabled or over 75.

In Scotland, to find out more about the central heating programme go to the website of the Scottish Executive at www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/OlderPeople/Homeimprovements

Who can help?

You can get comprehensive advice from any local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre. The energy centres will be able to help assess your needs and offer advice on all aspects of energy efficiency. You can get details of your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) by telephoning Freephone 0800 512 012 or looking at www.saveenergy.org.uk EEACs offer free and independent advice.

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) can advise you on grants or schemes available in your area. Grant eligibility is dependent on a number of factors – your age, local authority, and energy supplier. For more information, see under heading Grants and schemes. You can contact the EST energy efficiency helpline on 0845 727 7200.

Energywatch (the gas and electricity consumer council) is an independent organisation, which represents and protects the interests of electricity and gas consumers. It can help with complaints about the supply of electricity and gas.

Tel: 0845 906 0708 (gas) 0845 601 3131 (electricity).

Minicom: 0845 7581 401 (gas) 0845 7697 128 (electricity)

Website: www.energywatch.org.uk

E-mail: enquiry@energywatch.org.uk

Ofgem’s (The Office of Gas and Electricity markets) website has useful information about how to save money on your energy bills at: www.ofgem.gov.uk/ofgem/shared/.

Age Concern produces a number of useful fact sheets including ‘Help with heating’ and can offer telephone advice for older people. In England, you can contact them on freephone number 0800 00 99 66 or by visiting their website at www.ageconcern.org.uk. In Scotland, contact them on 0131 467 7118 or at www.ageconcernscotland.org.uk.

The Home Heat Helpline offers advice on energy efficiency and fuel debts to low income consumers. The Helpline’s advisers can help identify where free energy efficiency measures might be available and can ensure that vulnerable customers are not at risk of fuel supply disconnection. You can contact the Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99.

All suppliers of gas and electricity have to provide information on energy saving measures as a condition of trading. For more information, contact your fuel supplier and ask them about the energy advice offered.

For more information about gas companies, see Gas supply. For more information about electricity companies, see Electricity supply.