Warmer Worcestershire is developing services to support residents across the county during the cold winter months.
Services for all households include:
- A specialist helpline offering support and advice on keeping warm and ways to help reduce your energy bills.
- Direct referrals to agencies across the county to help with benefit checks, energy saving advice and home fire safety checks.
- Support with reading and understanding fuel bills and switching energy supplier.
- Referrals for any free or discounted energy saving measures such as insulation.
Support for owner occupier/private rented households with cold related health conditions and in receipt of certain benefits/low income* may be eligible for:
- Emergency Heater Scheme
- Grants for Boiler Replacements
- Grants for Boiler Servicing & Repairs
- Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation Grants
- Home visits to support the most vulnerable households
*All Schemes are subject to eligibility criteria and funding availability
KEEPING YOU WARM DURING COLD WEATHER
- Stay warm – set your thermostat to 18-21 degrees Celsius.
- Make sure you and your family members have received all appropriate vaccinations. Your GP surgery can give you advice on this.
- Make sure you have adequate supplies of medication and groceries in case there is a cold snap.
- Try to have warm drinks and at least one hot meal each day.
- Dress in plenty of layers and if you wear slippers make sure they are a snug fit with non-slip soles.
- If you have to go outdoors in cold weather, wear a hat, gloves and warm shoes or boots with non-slip soles.
- Keep active and remove hazards that may cause you to fall.
- Make sure you have emergency contact umber for a friend or neighbour in case you need help.
KEEPING YOUR HOME WARM AND SAFE DURING COLD WEATHER
- Make sure your loft and cavity walls are insulated (there should be 27cm or 10.5 inches of insulation in the loft) to help keep your home warm.
- Fit draught proofing to seal the gaps around doors and windows.
- Read your gas and electricity meters and give the readings to your energy suppliers. Check your gas and electricity tariffs to check if you could be paying less.
- Save energy and money by switching off unused appliances and lights.
- Get your heating serviced annually by a qualified central heating engineer and have your chimneys swept at least once every year to reduce the risk of chimney fires.
- Don’t forget to test the batteries in your smoke alarm every week. If you would like to have a home fire safety check contact Worcestershire Fire Service on 0800 032 1155.
The Warmer Worcestershire project began with a thermal image survey of Worcestershire to highlight heat loss from roof of properties. The aim of the project is to encourage energy efficiency and save residents money on their bills. The Warmer Worcestershire network is continuing to promote the importance of keeping warm and well during the winter months.
In a typical British home, one third of the heat produced by central heating systems is lost through the roof, walls and windows. For a poorly insulated property, this means that £1 out of every £3 spent is wasted.
For more information please call Act on Energy on the Free phone Advice Line: 0800 988 2881
For details of how the new schemes work in the Warwickshire, Worcestershire, Solihull & Coventry Regions call us on 01789 472691