Free help to lower energy bills

With temperatures plummeting and energy bills continuing to soar, fuel poverty charity National Energy Action is using Big Energy Saving Week to urge all households to check if they are eligible for free help to improve the heating and insulation of their properties this winter.

The Government estimates that approximately 3.5 million households in England are living in fuel poverty, unable to heat their homes to the level needed for their comfort and wellbeing. Many people, worried about rising energy costs, choose to ration their energy use, unaware that living in a cold home can actually cause or exacerbate a range of serious health conditions such as strokes, heart attacks and bronchitis. These issues currently cost health and social services over £1 billion annually across the UK.

£100 million is available in 2012-13 to improve the heating and insulation of low income households through the Government's Warm Front scheme, which is open to applications from owner-occupiers and private sector tenants in receipt of certain income-related benefits. It provides grants of up to £3,500 to fund improvement measures such as insulation or central heating systems, or up to £6000 if the home is not connected to the gas network, however, with the scheme now in its final year there is a real concern that if people don't apply now, they may miss out completely on the help to which they are entitled.

Jenny Saunders, Chief Executive at NEA said ‘'It is important to save energy, but we also want to make sure people are able to keep their homes warm. Help is available to install new insulation and efficient heating systems making energy bills more affordable and your home more cosy. Even if you have applied for Warm Front and been unsuccessful in the past, recent changes to the eligibility criteria means that you may now qualify for assistance. Your energy supplier is also offering free or discounted insulation and discounts of £130 on their energy bills for some customers. Please take action now before these schemes close."

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said "Big Energy Saving Week is a great opportunity for people to get practical help and advice on how to make their homes more energy efficient and save money on their energy bills. Our Warm Front scheme offers cash to help the most vulnerable households with heating and insulation so that they can keep warm this winter. It's easy to apply, and I would encourage people to check if they can benefit from this help."

For information, visit homeheathelpline.org.uk.