Save Money, Keep Warm

Save Money, Keep Warm

Save Money, Keep Warm

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3 Healthy room temperatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 4 How to keep warm and well . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 5

Introduction

Condensation and damp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 7 Heating and insulation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 10 Switching supplier . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 12

Living in a cold, damp home leaves you more at risk of suffering physical and mental illnesses.

Priority service register . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 14

This guide gives you information on how to make your home warm and comfortable including:

Hardship funds and social tariffs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 17

• Grants for insulation and heating

Your money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 20

• How to get the most from your energy supplier

Useful contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 22

• Help paying your energy bills If you have any questions about the information in this guide please contact us Sustainable Housing and Affordable Warmth (SHAW) Team Freephone - 0800 915 9096 Email - [email protected] Website www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 2 | 3

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Section 1:

Section 2:

Healthy room temperatures

How to keep warm and well

Experts recommend the following temperatures for a comfortable home: • 21o Celsius / 70o Fahrenheit in the lounge or sitting areas • 22o Celsius / 71o Fahrenheit in the bathroom • 18o Celsius / 65o Fahrenheit in all other rooms These temperatures are considered to be warm enough to keep you healthy and comfortable. These temperatures are only a guide. If you’re unable to move around your home, suffer from ill health, or are elderly, then you may need higher temperatures. Some people might also feel comfortable at lower temperatures. Effects of cold temperatures People exposed to colder temperatures for long periods are at risk of cold-related illnesses: • Under 16o Celsius (61oF): You may be more likely to have respiratory problems. Illnesses such as asthma, bronchitis, and chest infections will be made worse. • 9-12o Celsius (48-53oF): If you’re exposed to these temperatures for more than two hours body temperature can drop and blood pressure can rise. This increases your risk of heart attacks and strokes. Illnesses such as arthritis will be made worse and you’ll be at risk of trips or falls. • 5o Celsius (41oF): Anything under 10o Celsius (50o F) poses significant threats to your health. At 5o Celsius (41o F) there is a high risk of hypothermia. Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

Keeping your room warm Use your central heating controls, room thermostats and thermostatic radiator valves to make sure that your whole house is heated to a healthy temperature. It’s better to use your central heating (if you have it) than to rely on electric fires which can be expensive to run. If you only heat one room you may find condensation and mould developing in the unheated rooms.

Insulation and draught proofing Well insulated homes cost less to heat and feel warmer and drier. You may be eligible to have the work done through Sheffield City Council’s Free Insulation Scheme. For more information see ’Heating and Insulation’ on page 10.

Fuel tariffs (See also ‘Switching Supplier’ page 12) Comparing fuel tariffs could get you a better deal on the amount you pay. Many suppliers offer discounted schemes for elderly people, disabled people or people on benefits. They also offer advice on fuel debts and energy efficiency. It’s always cheaper to get both gas and electricity from the same supplier and you might www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 4 | 5

If every UK household installed 3 low energy light bulbs...

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

get a discount for paying online by direct debit. Pre payment meters are the most expensive option. They charge you at a higher rate per unit and you may have to pay an annual rent for the meter.

Other tips to stay warm • Close your curtains when it goes dark to help insulate your room. • Keep outside doors shut and block up obvious draughts (around doors and windows, the letterbox and keyhole, under floors and skirting boards). • Move furniture away from radiators and heaters to allow heat to circulate around the room. • Open internal doors of any rooms which get more sun than others and let the warm air travel around your home.

Section 3: Condensation and damp Condensation occurs when warm air carrying water vapour comes into contact with a cold surface and becomes cooler. The water vapour settles on the cold surface. Is it condensation? If there‘s black mould, damp or wet areas around your home ask yourself the following questions: • Could it be rising damp? Look for a tidemark up to one metre above the ground floor level. • Could it be penetrative damp? Look for damp areas on the outside of the wall. • Could it be a plumbing defect? Look for water stains around pipe work. • Does the mould spread quickly? If so there is a good chance that condensation is to blame. Black mould caused by condensation is usually found in cooler rooms, bathrooms, kitchens, behind cupboards or wardrobes and around window frames.

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 6 | 7

...this would save enough energy in a year to supply all street lighting

What can be done to reduce condensation?

Increase insulation:

If you think condensation is causing mould and damp in your home, try the following:

• Cavity wall and loft insulation will reduce the rate at which heat escapes from your home in colder weather, keeping it warmer for longer. You may qualify for free insulation, see page 10.

Reduce moisture: • Dry washing outdoors if possible. If you can’t, don’t put wet washing directly on radiators, use airers instead. • Make sure tumble dryers are properly ventilated to the outside. • Use lids on pans while cooking. • Avoid using bottled gas heaters (Calor gas heaters) as they produce about a litre of condensation for every litre of fuel used. • Keep bathroom and kitchen doors closed.

Increase ventilation: • Use an extractor fan or open a window when cooking or using hot water.

Increase heat: • Condensation is more likely to occur in rooms that are not warm enough.

REMEMBER! Condensation is a sign of a cold and poorly heated home. Cold, damp homes can cause ill health and make existing health problems worse. You may be entitled to free insulation and draught proofing measures, and you may qualify for help towards the cost of central heating systems, or a replacement boiler.

For more information contact us on freephone 0800 915 9096.

• Use central heating programmers and thermostatic radiator valves to make sure that all rooms are comfortably heated. Try not to rely on a gas or electric fire to heat one room while the rest of your home remains cold. (Three or four rooms could be heated by radiators for about the same cost as heating one room by an electric fire).

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 8 | 9

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Section 4: Heating & Insulation

The grant provides energy efficiency advice and a package of insulation and heating improvements tailored to each property up to a value of £3,500. Some homes that need oil central heating may receive a grant of up to £6,000. The improvements include: • Draught proofing • Hot water tank insulation • Gas, electric or oil central heating • Glass fronted fires • Cavity wall and loft insulation.

Sheffield City Council’s Free Insulation Scheme We run a free insulation scheme for all home owners and private tenants across Sheffield regardless of age or income. The scheme is run area by area, and all private households within those areas qualify for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation free of charge. If you receive certain benefits or are aged 70 years or over you can apply immediately - regardless of what area you live in.

For more information or to apply for a Warm Front grant call 0800 316 6011 (lines are open Monday - Friday 8am till 6pm and Saturday 9am - 5pm). You need to receive certain benefits to qualify for the grant. If you’re not sure whether you’re entitled to a Warm Front grant, or you don’t receive benefits but think that you might qualify for them, you can have a benefits entitlement check. For more information call 0800 072 9006 (lines are open 8am till 6pm (Monday to Friday). At the time of printing, there is funding available under the Warm Front scheme until March 2011.

For more information contact us on freephone 0800 915 9096.

Energy Saving Trust Advice Centres (ESTACs)

Warm Front

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) has a national network of advice centres. They provide free impartial advice on energy efficiency and renewable energy, and also provide cavity wall and loft insulation at a discounted rate.

Warm Front is a government funded grant for people who own their home or rent from a private landlord.

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

For more information contact your local ESTAC on 0800 512 012.

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 10 | 11

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

In just 200 years, the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere has increased by around 35%

These Price Comparison services have been awarded the Consumer Focus Confidence Code accreditation.

Section 5: Switching supplier

www.energyhelpline.com: 0800 074 0745 www.uswitch.com: 0800 404 79089

Complaints about your supplier

With energy companies now offering a wide range of deals, it's hard to know which company has the best deal for you. Often, energy companies will offer different prices depending on circumstances, including which part of the country you live in. On a pre-payment or token meter? You can change suppliers even if you have debts up to £200. Have fuel debts of over £200? You could still save money by changing tariff with your existing supplier. If you’re on a low income you could qualify for your supplier’s social tariff. See pages 17 - 19 for more information.

Price comparison services You can find out which supplier has the best deal for you by using a price comparison service. They compare your current supplier’s tariffs with tariffs from all the major suppliers. They help you find the best deal, provide you detailed information on each tariff and offer a free switching service.

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

For complaints about customer service from your fuel supplier or to receive gas and electricity price comparisons contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

Green electricity tariff You can use renewable energy even if you can't afford to install the technology in your own home. If you sign up to a green energy tariff, some or all of the electricity you use has to come from a renewable energy source (e.g. wind or solar power). There’s no change to the way your electricity is supplied and the cost should be the same or similar to what you’re already paying - although some companies may add a small charge. For more information contact us on freephone 0800 915 9096.

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 12 | 13

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Section 6: Priority Service Register You can apply to join your energy supplier’s priority service register if you: • • • • •

Are of pensionable age Have a disability Have long term ill health Are blind or visually impaired Are deaf or hearing impaired

They offer a range of free services which vary depending on your supplier. Some of the free services you could receive are: • Safety check of your gas appliances - you may qualify for a free safety check if all adults in your home are eligible for the Priority Service Register. The check will tell you if your gas appliances are safe and that they are not giving out a harmful level of carbon monoxide (please note: some suppliers may require you to be in receipt of benefits to qualify for this service).

• Having your meter moved - if it’s difficult for you to reach or read your gas or electricity meter, your supplier will consider moving the meter to a more convenient position - free of charge. • Password scheme - you can ask your gas or electricity supplier to give you a unique password that will be used every time they visit your home. This can protect you against ‘bogus callers’ pretending to be from your gas or electricity supplier. • Special controls and adaptors - your supplier can provide special controls to help make your gas and electricity appliances and meters easier for you to use. • Advance notice if your electricity supply has to be interrupted - if your electricity supply has to be turned off for planned work, you’ll get advance notice to help you make special arrangements. • Bill nominee scheme - your supplier can arrange for your bills to be sent to a friend, relative or carer’s address. They may also send you a copy for your information (you can request that they do this).

How to register Just contact your gas or electricity supplier and ask to join their priority service register. Their contact details are on your bill/statement. We’ve listed contact numbers for some of the main suppliers on page 16. If you get your gas and electricity from different suppliers, remember to contact them both.

• Meter readings - if no one in your household can read the gas or electricity meter, your supplier can arrange for your meter to be read every quarter and bills be sent to you based on these readings. Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 14 | 15

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Supplier Contact Details Npower Warm Response Service - 0808 172 6999 Eon Caring Energy - 0845 301 4875 British Gas Home Energy Care Register - 0800 072 8625 Scottish Power Carefree protected service register 0141 568 6182

Section 7: Hardship funds and social tariffs

Scottish and Southern Priority Service Care Line - 0800 622 838 EDF Energy Priority Services - 0800 169 9970 These numbers were correct at the time of printing. If you are having problems getting through, call the number printed on your fuel bill/statement.

Suppliers offer help and support to low income households and customers facing financial difficulty. Contact your gas or electricity supplier’s priority services or hardship fund department. Some contact details are on page 18. If you get your gas and electricity from different suppliers, remember that you could contact them both for advice or assistance.

Hardship funds cover: • Full or partial grants for repairs or installing heating measures. In some cases this could include repairs to unsafe gas heating systems • Payments in full or part for the cost of essential household appliances • Full or partial grants for the installation of cavity wall insulation or loft insulation • Debt relief and grants to pay off outstanding fuel debts if you’re in extreme financial difficulty Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 16 | 17

Scottish Power

Social Tariffs

• Fresh Start (social tariff): 0845 270 0700.

All energy suppliers now have to offer social tariffs. They offer cheaper energy deals to certain customers. You may qualify for a social tariff if you are over 60, on means tested benefits or are on a low income. For more information contact your supplier.

Scottish and Southern

Contact information

• Energyplus Care (social tariff): freephone 0800 622 838. • Winter Care Rebate (rebate offered to those who do not qualify for the energyplus tariff): freephone 0800 622 838.

Npower

These numbers were correct at the time of printing. If you are having problems getting through, call the number printed on your fuel bill/statement.

• Spreading Warmth Tariff (social tariff): freephone 0808 172 6999. There is also a scheme called the First Step scheme which offers advice and help if you’re struggling to pay your npower bills.

Complaints about your supplier

Eon

For complaints about customer service from your fuel supplier, or to receive gas and electricity price comparisons, contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.

• Warm Assist (social tariff): freephone 0800 404 6287. • Caring Energy (offers a range of services for more vulnerable customers): freephone 0845 301 4875. British Gas • Essentials combined (social tariff): call free on 0800 072 5230 or if you have a pre payment meter: 0800 294 8604.

Home Heat helpline The Home Heat helpline offers practical advice for people who are in fuel debt, or are concerned about paying their energy bills. The helpline is staffed by specially trained advisors. For more information call 0800 33 66 99 (lines are open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturdays).

• Energy Trust (hardship fund): call 01733 421060. EDF • Energy Assist (social tariff): freephone 0800 269 450. • Energy Trust (helps to clear or reduce energy debts) 01773 421 060.

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 18 | 19

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social tariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

Benefits

Section 8: Your money If you get into debt problems, or you’re having difficulty paying your bills, help is available.

If you lose your job, or your income drops, it’s important to find out if you qualify for any benefits or tax credits. There are organisations available to help with this. When applying for benefits be prepared. You’ll need proof of your identity, proof of your income and information about other household members. For advice and support contact: • Sheffield Benefits Service (housing and council tax benefits): (0114) 273 6777 or www.sheffield.gov.uk/benefits • Job Centre Plus: 0800 055 66 88 or www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk

Seek advice

• Tax Credit Helpline: 0845 300 3900

The quicker you get advice, the quicker your problems can be dealt with - this will reduce the pressure on you. Contact:

• The Pensions Service: 0800 991 234 • Disability Benefits Unit : 0845 712 3456

• Your local advice centre - call Sheffield Information Service on (0114) 273 4712 to find your nearest centre. • National Debtline: 0808 808 4000 or www.nationaldebtline.co.uk • Debt Advice Unit (for a self help pack): (0114) 250 1144. • Sheffield Credit Union: (0114) 276 0787 www.fisy1.co.uk • NHS Credit Crunch Stress-line - 0300 123 2000 or www.nhs.uk/creditcrunch • Community Legal Advice (advice on debt, housing and benefits) : 0845 345 4345 or www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk

Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Keep WARM 20 | 21

Save money, keep warm // Healthy room temperatures // How to keep warm and well // Condensation and damp // Heating and insulation // Switching supplier // Priority service register // Hardship funds and social ttariffs // Your money // Useful contacts

• Private Sector Advice Line: (0114) 273 4646 (home owners) Private Sector Advice Line: (0114) 273 4680 (private rented)

Section 9: Useful contacts

• Sheffield City Council switchboard: (0114) 272 6444 • Sheffield Credit Union: (0114) 276 0787 • Sheffield Homes Heating repairs: 0114 273 0101 • Sheffield Homes switchboard: (0114) 293 0000 (North) (0114) 205 3333 (South)

• Age Concern Sheffield: (0114) 250 2850 • Anti Social Behaviour: 101 • Bulky Item Collection/black bins: (0114) 273 4567 • Central Library: (0114) 273 4736 • CIGA (Cavity Insulation Guarantee Agency): 01525 853 300 • Cold weather payments (pension credit): 0845 606 0265 • Cold weather payments (Job centre plus): (0114) 259 0000

• Sheffield Homes Repair Line: (0114) 273 5555 • Sheffield Information Services (Central Library): (0114) 273 4712 • Street Force: (0114) 273 4567 • Tax Credit Helpline: 0845 300 3900 • Tenant Services Authority: 0845 230 7000 • The Pension Service: 0800 99 1234 • Winter Fuel Payments: 0845 9 15 15 15

• Consumer Direct: 08454 04 05 06 • Council Tax/Housing Benefit service: (0114) 273 6777 • Disability Benefits Unit: 0845 712 3456 • Fire Service Advice Line: (0114) 253 2314 • Gas leaks (National Grid): 0800 111 999 • Homeless emergency (out of hours): 0800 7311 689 • Job Centre Plus (DWP): 0800 0 55 66 88 • Job Centre Plus: social fund: (0114) 259 0000

These numbers were correct at the time of printing. For any questions about the information in this guide please contact us: Sustainable Housing and Affordable Warmth (SHAW) Team Freephone - 0800 915 9096 Email - [email protected] Website - www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

• National Debt line: 0808 808 4000 • Police non emergency calls: (0114) 220 20 20 • Power cuts (Yorkshire Electricity) - 0800 375 675 Free Energy Efficency advice on 0800 915 9096

www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes

Save ENERGY, Save MONEY 22 | 23

For more information on energy efficiency contact the Sustainable Housing & Affordable Warmth Team on 0800 915 9096. For more tips and more detailed information visit www.sheffield.gov.uk/greenhomes. If you don’t own a computer you can still view the web pages by visiting your local library and using the Internet for free.

This document can be supplied in large print, braille, audiotape and in different languages, please contact: Sheffield City Council SHAW Team Tel: 0800 915 9096 www.sheffield.gov.uk

When you have finished with this document please recycle it DP7483

80%

This document is printed on 80% recycled paper