Affordable warmth

Summary

We need to ensure our residents are aware of any insulation and heating grants, encourage them to have benefit checks to make sure they are receiving the income they are entitled to and also ensure they have access to energy efficiency advice.

Poorly insulated properties, lack of efficient heating systems and the inability to afford to pay for heating, all contribute to ‘Fuel Poverty’. Fuel Poverty arises where households have to spend more than 10% of their income on fuel in order to keep their homes warm. There is a possibility that the lack of affordable heating, particularly in homes that are more difficult to heat, could be contributing to excess winter deaths. Although Fuel Poverty levels are not as high in the District as in other parts of the Country, Fuel Poverty is a real issue for some of our elderly, disabled and low income households. High fuel prices have certainly not helped those households dependent on pensions or benefits.

There is a Government scheme called Warm Front, the Scheme installs insulation and heating measures up to the value of £3,500, or £6,000 where oil central heating or alternative low carbon technologies are recommended. Warm Front installs measures to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient. It is for people on certain disability or income-related benefits. To be eligible you must own your home or rent it from a private landlord. To find out more about the Warm Front Scheme:

  • call an adviser free on 0800 316 2805
  • textphone 0800 072 0156
  • email: enquiry@eaga.com

There are also Government grants and discount schemes available for insulation measures, to find out more and and/or for energy advice please contact the Energy Saving Trust on phone no; 0800 512 012 or website, please follow the link under the external links section below.

Over a quarter of the UK's annual carbon dioxide emissions come from the energy we use in our homes. By being energy efficient, you can:

  • Save energy and reduce your contribution to climate change (the average household could save around two tonnes of CO2 a year by making their home energy efficient),
  • Increase the comfort of your home, and
  • Save yourself money.

To work out your carbon footprint please follow the link under the external links section below, this will also provide you with information to help reduce your carbon footprint.

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Further information

Finding the right deal for you

Consumer Focus LogoEnergy companies offer a wide range of deals and it is easy to become confused about what's on offer. To help you decide which tariff is best for you, it is wise to use one of the internet price comparison services which are accredited to the Consumer Focus ‘Confidence Code’. This is a voluntary code of practice for price comparison services. You may want to use the Consumer Focus price comparison tool (see link below) which will show gas and electricity prices in your area for the big six energy suppliers.

Related pages on this website

External websites

Contact us

Officer / Team Housing Options
Postal address Blaby District Council
Council Offices
Desford Road
Narborough
Leicester
LE19 2EP
E-mail address housing.adaptations@blaby.gov.uk
Telephone 0116 272 7536

If you need this information in other languages or formats (large print, Braille or audio), please let us know when you contact us.

This page was last updated on 20th July 2011

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