Keeping your house warm and reducing energy bills

Information on how to keep your house warm and save money.

Funding and energy saving

  • Better Homes Kirklees

    Here to help residents across Kirklees by offering home improvements that could save you energy and money.

  • Citizens Advice - Struggling to pay your bills

    Citizens Advice could help you save money on your energy bills. They can provide you with advice about switching energy tariffs and suppliers as well as advice about fuel debt, benefit checks and application support.

  • Energy Savings Advice Service

    Independent, expert advice on saving energy in your home.

  • Keep warm this winter

    Guidance for householders and consumers on how to prepare for winter, saving energy and money.

  • Keep warm, keep well

    Information for over 60s, low income families and people living with a disability.

  • Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)

    You can apply using the online form either for self-referrals or on behalf of somebody else. A LEAP advisor will contact all applicants to confirm eligibility* and arrange for a home energy visit. During this visit, a qualified home energy advisor will:

    • survey the home
    • install a number of suitable energy saving measures if necessary
    • assess the property and your personal situation for further assistance and support.

    LEAP has some very broad eligibility requirements. It is open to all types of householders: homeowners, private renters and social housing tenants. You only need to qualify on one of the points in any of the three categories in order to be eligible for the scheme

    LEAP can also be contacted by freephone: 0800 060 75675.

Repairs

Age UK HandyPerson services

Age UK offers a Handyperson services to residents* in Kirklees and can include:

  • Minor plumbing, e.g. tap washers and sink blockages
  • Fitting security items such as door chains and window locks
  • Moving furniture
  • Minor joinery and other small jobs

*Eligibility criteria applies. Please contact service for more details.

Ways to stay warm and be energy smart

Support is available to help you prepare as best as you possibly can to cope with the cold months.

Keep Warm Keep Well

Being cold isn't just uncomfortable; it can be very bad for your health.

The human body responds in several different ways when exposed to cold weather, even at temperatures which are not 'extreme'. Exposure to cold temperatures has a range of physiological effects including:

  • Increased blood pressure
  • Increased risk of clotting
  • Suppression of the immune system
  • Diminished capacity of the lungs to fight off infection
  • Increased airway constriction and mucus production in the lungs.

Cold weather can make some health problems worse and even lead to serious complications, especially if you are 65 or older, or if you have a long-term health condition.

Top tips on keeping warm and cosy in winter
  1. Don't let the cold catch you out - check the weather forecast so you are prepared.
  2. Make sure you have tinned, dried and frozen food in the house so you can make a hot meal.
  3. Have plenty of hot drinks like tea, coffee or hot water.
  4. Make sure you have enough of your prescription medicines at home or have them delivered.
  5. Flu is much more serious than a cold.
  6. Make sure you can check the temperature in your living room and bedroom. The room where you sit should be 21C and your bedroom should be 18C.
  7. Wear a few layers of thin clothing rather than one thick layer. Socks and hats are great too as hands and feet can soon get cold.
  8. Cover yourself with a blanket or shawl if you are sitting for long periods.
  9. Tuck curtains behind radiators, this will keep the heat in the room.
  10. Keep moving if you can, this will help keep you warm.

More information

Saving energy at home

Home heating advice:

Council homes:

For further information on the work carried out to improve the energy efficiency of council homes and for advice and support on how to make your council home more efficient and comfortable see:

Energy tariffs

(A tariff is the amount of money you pay per unit of fuel)

Advice on different tariffs available, how to change supplier and other useful tips to get the best deal from your energy supplier:

Rebates and winter payments
Utility debt support

Organisations that may be able to offer help and advice with clearing energy arrears.

Health advice
Financial help
General advice and information
Energy performance of homes
  • Energy Performance Certificates
    All homes bought, sold or rented require an Energy Performance Certificate. They give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Source

Information has been sourced from How to stay well in winter - NHS

You can access this information in other formats:

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