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Energy efficiency

Introduction

The Housing Energy Action Team (HEAT) can help you to access the wide range of practical support and financial assistance, available to householders in Calderdale, to help make your home more energy efficient.

Thermal efficiency

Find out how much heat your property may be losing by using Thermal map. 
See: How energy efficient is your property?

Reducing fuel bills

Since January 2003 the average gas and electricity bill has increased by over £300. Up to £7.3 billion of support goes unclaimed each year, that is £123 per person in the UK.

If you have never switched supplier you may able to save up to £150 on your annual bill. You may be missing out on energy grants to install central heating, boiler replacements and insulation packages.

For information regarding energy saving tips or fuel switching visit the Energy Saving Trust| .

Benefit entitlement checks

If you are on a low income, it's important to make sure you are claiming the benefits you are entitled to. This can help increase your household income and help you to cover the cost of your energy bills and other essential household costs. More importantly, it can open up access to schemes like Warm Front for households that are in receipt of certain income or disability related benefits.

Various organisations can assess your circumstances and help you apply for the benefits which you may be entitled to. Contact one of the following for details:

• Calderdale Citizens Advice Bureau|
  Telephone: 01422 842848
• The Pension Service|
  Telephone: 0800 99 1234
• Warm Front |
  Telephone: Benefits Entitlement Check team 0800 072 9006.

Energy monitors

Save as much as 15% on your electric bills.

In partnership with the library service we are offering everybody in the Borough the opportunity to borrow an Energy Monitor. If all the meters are on loan at any library, you will be able to reserve one free of charge, and the next available meter will be held for you.

Households in receipt of a means tested benefit can have a free monitor to keep. Call into the benefits office on Northgate in Halifax town centre with details of the benefits you receive to collect one from there.

The monitors show how much electricity you use in the home and how much it is costing. By seeing where you spend the most money on electricity, you can take steps to use less energy and reduce your bills by as much as 15%.

For more information on how to borrow an Energy Monitor contact the Housing Energy Action Team or your local library .

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: Free services| .

Winter Fuel Payments

The Winter Fuel Payment is a yearly payment to help people aged 60 and over with the cost of keeping warm. This year the Winter Fuel Payment will be £250 for households with someone aged 60 to 79 and £400 for households with someone aged 80 or over. The exact amount you get depends on your circumstances during the qualifying week (21- 27September 2009) such as your age, whether you live alone and whether you're getting State Pension Credit, Jobseeker's Allowance (Income based) or Employment and Support Allowance (Income related). In most cases if you qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment, you'll get:

• A full payment of £250 or a shared payment of £125 each, if you're aged 60-79, or
• A full payment of £400 or a shared payment of £200 each, if you're aged 80 or over.

The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline is 0845 915 1515 or 0845 601 5613 for minicom users. Lines are open from 08:30am to 4:30pm, Monday to Friday or visit Winter Fuel Payments| .

Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre (ESTAC)

ESTAC offers free impartial advice and tips on how to make your home more energy efficient, including homes not on the gas network and advice on renewable energies.

Visit Energy Saving Trust|  or telephone 0800 052 5212 to get in touch with your local centre.

Renewable energy schemes

For information on renewable energies and schemes visit The Carbon Trust| , Low Carbon Buildings Programme| or Energy Saving Trust|  sites.

The Alternative Technology Centre at 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|   website or call them on 01422 842121.

For more information on any of these subjects, the Calderdale Home Insulation Scheme and other energy efficiency grants, contact the Housing Energy Action Team.

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