Energy efficiency

Heating your home

Heating your home - ‘space heating’ - accounts for 61% of its energy requirements. Domestic gas central heating is one of the most efficient ways of heating a home. If this is your main form of heating and your boiler is over 10 years old, you may wish to consider replacing this with an efficient A+ rated boiler.

If your boiler has broken down, or you do not have central heating, you may qualify to apply for the Government’s Warm Front | scheme.

Interest free loans are available for households on low incomes that do not qualify for assistance from the Warm Front scheme. For details contact the Housing Energy Action Team.

Electric storage heaters can also be used, but heating a property in this way tends to be more expensive than gas.

Gas servicing

Faulty gas appliances can give off a poisonous gas called Carbon Monoxide. It is clear and does not smell. It can cause headaches, flu like symptoms, nausea and sickness, drowsiness, visual problems, unconsciousness and potentially death.

For further information see Health and Safety Executive: Gas Safety|.

Annual safety checks and servicing during the summer months should be carried out by a qualified Gas Safe engineer. Carbon Monoxide alarms should also be fitted in an appropriate position for every gas appliance in the home.

Depending on your circumstances, you may qualify for a free annual gas safety check through the Priority Services Register scheme run by all the energy companies.

Priority Service Register (PSR)

If you are of pensionable age, disabled, have an ill health condition or receiving a means tested benefit, you may qualify for the Priority Service Register (PSR). By ringing your gas and electricity companies you can register on the scheme. Customers on the register are entitled to additional services free of charge, such as:

free annual gas safety checks for qualifying customers
password schemes
bills available in large print and Braille as well as talking bills
quarterly meter reading services
having a prepayment meter moved to improve access
bill nominee scheme, and
priority in an emergency (this could include providing alternative heating and cooking facilities in the event of supply disconnection).

Suppliers are also prohibited from disconnecting a premises occupied by a customer eligible for the PSR during the winter months (1 October - 31 March).

Information on the Priority Service Register is also available from Consumer Focus: Help for vulnerable consumers|.

Renewable energy

Renewable energy technologies for heating, hot water and electricity generation might be suitable for your home. Financial incentives are available for the energy that is generated through the Feed in Tariff or Renewable Heat Incentive.

If your main fuel type is oil or solid fuel and it is not viable or possible to join your property to the gas network, you may wish to consider using renewable energy to provide space and water heating for your home.

For further information see Energy Saving Trust - Generate your own electricity|.

The Alternative Technology Centre in Hebden Bridge offers practical and impartial advice on renewable energies. They have demonstrations and hold workshops on some of the technologies currently available. Visit the Alternative Technology Centre| or call them on 01422 842121.

Winter fuel payments

The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment to help people aged 60 and over with the cost of keeping warm. The amount of Winter Fuel Payment you can get each winter can vary according to your personal situation. Find out when you'll be paid and how much you can get at Directgov: Winter Fuel Payment|

If you would like to speak to an adviser, the Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is 0845 915 1515 or 0845 601 5613 for minicom users. Please have your National Insurance number available when you telephone them.