Energy Efficiency and Saving Money
Save money and protect the environment by making your home more energy efficient.
How to use less fuel and save money
Most households can save a substantial amount on fuel bills by using energy in an efficient way, and can be warmer and healthier as a result. Grants and discount schemes are available to help with fuel efficiency measures. Even if you have to meet some of the costs yourself, the savings on fuel bills can quickly repay the initial cost.
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Lighting and appliances
Energy saving light bulbs can last up to ten times longer than ordinary light bulbs. They work by using less electricity but give the same light output as other bulbs and therefore save money - around £5.00 - £10.00 on each light over a year depending on usage.
If you are buying a new appliance such as a washing machine, tumble dryer or fridge you can find information on their energy efficiency by checking the Energy label. All appliances must now display this information. 'A' rated appliances are the most energy efficient and although these appliances may cost more, will give in savings in both energy and cash.
Save On Laundry
You can save big every time you wash clothes by following these simple steps
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Use the 40 degree wash whenever possible
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Always wait until you have a full load
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Replace your washer and dryer with 'A' rated energy efficient models
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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
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Reduce Heating Costs
Heat your home more efficiently to reduce your fuel costs and protect the environment.
Replace your old boiler. An old boiler could be wasting energy and draining your bank account. Replacing it with a new energy efficient model can mean reducing your fuel use by up to 40%.
Upgrade 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.
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Insulation
Is heat escaping through your doors, windows, walls, and roof? If so, then it is taking your money with it. Keep the heat in and your home more comfortable by ensuring that you are properly insulated.
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Insulate your loft with 150-200 mm thick insulation
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Install insulation or lagging around your hot water cylinders and pipes
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Place insulation in cavity walls, and render or cladding on solid ones
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Fill gaps in floorboards
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Seal your windows with double glazing, secondary glazing, or taped polythene
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Glazing
Double-glazing stops heat escaping and can reduce condensation on your windows. 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. It can also reduce outside noise considerably. Glazing is expensive so it is important to contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre for advice, (see under heading Who can help). If you have to replace windows anyway, it would be a good idea to choose double-glazing.
Secondary glazing is cheaper than replacement double-glazing and can be bought from DIY shops. Savings are similar to those made by double-glazing.
A low cost 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.
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Getting the best price for fuel
Apart from general energy saving measures, you may be able to reduce your fuel costs by changing your fuel provider. Many fuel companies now operate dual fuel schemes which can save you money if you buy both gas and electricity from that supplier. There may also be other schemes that operate locally or nationally. For more information about changing your fuel supplier, visit Ofgem's (The Office of Gas and Electricity markets) website at: Ofgem.
For more information about gas companies, see Gas supply.
For more information about electricity companies, see Electricity supply.
If you are having problems paying your fuel bills, you should contact your local Citizens Advice Bureau. To search for details of your nearest CAB, including those that can give advice by email, click on nearest CAB.
If you need information or advice about changing to a new fuel supplier, you can telephone energywatch on 08459 060708. The helpline will put you through to your local office who 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.
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Grants and schemes
There are various energy efficiency schemes and grants that are available. These schemes vary from region to region and are run by a variety of organisations. The main scheme is a home energy efficiency scheme known as Warm Front in England, Warm Deal in Scotland, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme in Wales and the Warm Homes Scheme in Northern Ireland. The scheme is government funded and provides energy advice and grants to cover the costs of home insulation and to improve energy efficiency for certain groups of people including those on low incomes. The scheme covers both owner-occupiers and people renting accommodation. In some cases, the maximum grant available does not cover the full cost of the work and you have to pay something towards the costs. However, in England a hardship fund has been set up to help meet the extra payments that might be needed.
You may also be able to apply to the local authority for a grant, loan or other type of help for home improvements.
In England and Wales, for more information about home improvements, see Help with home improvements.
In Scotland, for more information about home improvements, see Housing grants.
You can contact your local Energy Efficiency Advice Centre for information on energy savings schemes and grants. You can find your local centre on freefone 0800 512 012 or the Energy Savings Trust website at www.est.co.uk. Many independent fuel companies and local authorities operate grants and schemes and also provide energy efficiency advice. Grants can be given for work connected to any energy saving measure, 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.
Who can get a grant under a home energy efficiency scheme
In England - the Warm Front Scheme
In England you are eligible for a Warm Front grant if you:
- have children under 16 and are getting Child Benefit or with a maternity certificate, and getting one of more of the following - Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Pension Credit
- are getting one or more of the following - Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (which includes Constant Attendance Allowance), or War Disablement Pension (which must include the mobility or Constant Attendance Allowance)
- are getting one or more of the following - Income Support, Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit, when they include a disability premium
- are 60 or over, and getting Income Support, Council Tax Benefit, Housing Benefit, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, or Pension Credit.
If you are getting Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit, contact your local Energy Efficiency Centre to find out whether you qualify for a Warm Front grant.
Wales - Home Energy Efficiency Scheme
In Wales, you are eligible for a Home Energy Efficiency Scheme grant if you are in a household with children under 16 and getting child benefit and one or more of the following - income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit or income-based jobseeker's allowance.
The following people in Wales may be able to get an enhanced grant, called Home Energy Efficiency Scheme Plus:-
- in a household getting one or more of the following - attendance allowance, disability living allowance, industrial injuries disablement benefit (which includes constant attendance allowance), war disablement pension (which must include the mobility or constant attendance allowance), Pension Credit
- in a household getting one or more of the following - income support, housing benefit or council tax benefit, when they include a disability premium
- in a lone parent household with a child under 16 and getting child benefit and one or more of the following - income support, housing benefit, council tax benefit, income-based jobseeker's allowance
- in a lone parent household with a child under 16 in receipt of child benefit where the child receives disability living allowance
Homeowners in Wales aged 60 or over are entitled to a grant called a partial grant in order to carry out home energy efficiency work.
In Scotland - the Warm Deal scheme
In Scotland, there are a range of grants available to improve the heat efficiency of your home. The grants are provided under the Warm Deal Scheme and you can find out more about them on the website of the Scottish Executive at www.scotland.gov.uk.
In Northern Ireland - the Warm Homes Grant
In Northern Ireland, you are eligible to receive a new Warm Homes grant if you or your spouse are:-
- householders with a child under 16 and getting one or more of these benefits: Income Support, Housing Benefit, Rate Rebate or income based Jobseeker's Allowance
- householders with a child under 16 in receipt of a maternity certificate and one or more of these benefits: Housing Benefit, Rate Rebate, Income Support or income based Job Seeker's Allowance
- householders getting one or more of these benefits, when they include a disability premium: Income Support, Housing Benefit or Rate Rebate
- householders getting one or more of these benefits: Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit which must include constant care allowance or a war disablement pension with either Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement.
An enhanced grant, called Warm Front Plus, is available to householders aged 60 or over, who receive one or more of the following - Housing Benefit, Income Support, Rate Rebate or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance.
How much is a home energy efficiency grant
The maximum individual grant that can be made under these home energy efficiency schemes is, in England, £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil-fired central heating is to be installed). In Wales, it is £2,000, in Scotland, it is £500 and in Northern Ireland, it is £750. The maximum enhanced grant is £3,600 in Wales (or £5,000 if oil-fired central heating is to be installed). In Northern Ireland, it is £2,700. In Wales, a partial grant of £500 can be awarded.
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.
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 landlords 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 landlord 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.
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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: Ofgem.
Age Concern produce a number of useful factsheets 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 also 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.
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