Energy Advice

							Energy Advice
                                       Energy Advice (Coldline
                                       Fact Sheet 5)


     Coldline Pages
When you heat your home, some of the
heat produced finds its way outside          Coldline Fact Sheets
through walls, ceilings, doors, windows
and roof. The rate at which you lose heat    1. Eating Well
determines how much it will cost to keep
                                             2. Cold Related Diseases
your home warm. Heat loss can be
slowed down by measures such as              3. Keeping Mobile
draughtproofing and insulation.              4. Paying for Heat
Warm Front Grants –                          5. Energy Advice
warmfront.co.uk                              6. Where to Get Help
The Government offers grants to make
homes warmer, more energy efficient
and healthier to live in. However, to
obtain a grant you must be in receipt of a
qualifying benefit and be either an owner
occupier or renting from a private
landlord. You can get information on
Warm Front grants from the Warm Front
Team - Freephone: 0800 316 6011 or
from Age Concern Hackney Coldline. If
your application is successful you could
get help with:

   •   Loft and pipe insulation.
   •   Draughtproofing outside doors
       and windows.
   •   Cavity wall insulation.
   •   Hot water-tank jacket.
   •   Gas central heating or gas room
       heaters or electric storage heaters
       and timer controls for electric
       space and water heaters.
   •   Energy advice (including two low
       energy light bulbs).
Using fuel efficiently
Use fuel efficiently for tasks such as
heating, hot water and light, and you will
pay out less, especially in the winter.
Even where energy efficiency measures
involve an initial cost, you will soon
recoup the money through lower
charges.
Link:


Switching your Gas and
Electricity suppliers
You can make savings on your gas and
electricity by switching your supplier.
However, if you are thinking about
changing your supplier you should get
advice first. Consumer Focus has lists of
accredited comparison websites.
Consumer Direct has advice on changing
supplier 08454 04 05 06 or contact Age
Concern Hackney Coldline.
Appliance labelling
Energy efficient appliances use less
electricity and cost less to run, so when
buying an appliance it is important to look
for the energy label. ‘A’ is the most
energy efficient and will use up to half the
electricity of a similar ‘G’ rated model.
The amount of electricity consumed also
depends on how the appliance is used
(how full a fridge or freezer is, for
example) and where it is located. A cold
appliance, such as a fridge, will use more
electricity if it is sited near a cooker or
heater.
Priority Service Register
If you are a domestic consumer and are
of pensionable age, or have a disability,
a long term illness, blind or have visual
impairment you can choose from a
selection of free services that are
designed to make your life easier please
consult Consumer Focus and Consumer
Direct 08454 040506 to find out what
your fuel supplier can do. You can
register yourself on the Priority Service of
your gas and electricity company by
calling them direct.
Gas
If you have a gas supply, gas should be
your cheapest option for heating, cooking
and hot water. In your living room, for
example, a gas fire is cheaper than an
electric heater, open coal fire or bottled
gas heater. Gas wall convector heaters
have the lowest running costs of any kind
of heater.
Many people regard gas central heating
as expensive to use, whereas it is a very
efficient type of heating and is easy to
control. On your central heating system
you should have a programmer (or time
switch), a room thermostat and a hot
water cylinder thermostat. You may also
have Thermostatic radiator valves to
control the heat on individual radiators.
Try to ensure you use your heating
controls efficiently, otherwise running
costs can be high. You can get advice on
this from Age Concern Hackney Coldline
- 0207 241 2299 or, if you live in council
or housing association property from
your Estate Manager.
It is very important that all gas appliances
are serviced annually to ensure that they
are running safely and efficiently. Gas
safety checks should always be carried
out by a qualified ‘CORGI’ registered gas
installer. If you are a tenant, your
landlord is legally required to arrange a
gas safety check on a yearly basis. If you
are an owner/occupier you can consult
trustcorgi.com.

It is also important that chimneys are
swept regularly (at least once a year is
recommended). For chimney sweeping
advice call either Age Concern Hackney
Coldline or the Chimney Sweeps in
London from refresh services on 0845
1080987 www refreshservices.com


Electricity
Electricity companies offer both standard
and off-peak tariffs. If you use electricity
to heat your home, off-peak tariffs (such
as Economy 7), will help you reduce your
bills.

   •   Fan heaters or bar fires using full
       price electricity are the most
       expensive form of heating.
   •   Storage heaters using off-peak
       electricity are the cheapest form of
       electric heating – they are almost
       as cheap as gas.

Solid fuel
   •   Open fires make poor use of fuel.
       They are among the most
       expensive forms of heating,
       unless they have a back boiler.
   •   An enclosed solid fuel heater,
       although expensive to install, will
       make better use of the fuel.

Use of bottled gas
appliances
Many people believe bottled gas to be an
economic method of heating but it is, in
fact, one of the most expensive fuels.

   •   When using a bottled gas or
       paraffin heater you must open the
       windows slightly to allow for some
       ventilation, as these appliances
       give off fumes and water vapour.
       This needs to escape, otherwise
       poisonous fumes and
       condensation will build up in the
       room.
   •   When purchasing a new bottled
       gas appliance it is important to
       check to see the British Standard
       Label. This means the heater will
       be fitted with a special safety
       devise that cuts off the gas supply
       if the room gets too stuffy.

Electric water heating
   •   If you use electricity to heat your
       hot water you should be on an off-
       peak tariff
   •   If your home is not wired for off-
       peak electricity do not leave the
       immersion heater on all day, as
       this is very expensive. Heat up the
       water for an hour or two, just
       before you need it.
   •   If you can afford to have a time
       switch fitted to your immersion
       heater you will save money, as
       you will be able to control when it
       comes on and off.
   •   Ensure that your immersion tank
       is adequately insulated and the
       thermostat is set to 60º C.

Money saving tips
You will find some ideas in your ‘Keep
Warm, Keep Well’ booklet; or look on the
government website www direct.gov.uk/
keepwarmkeepwell
Here are some other suggestions.

   •   Use a low setting cycle on your
       washing machine will reduce the
       amount of electricity it uses.
   •   Use a low setting for a long time
       rather than a high setting for a
       short time when using your
       heating. It is cheaper and you will
       be more comfortable.
   •   Draw the curtains when it gets
       dark but make sure they do not
       hang in front of radiators.
   •   Avoid putting furniture in front of
       radiators or heaters as this will
       reduce the heat given out.
   •   Turn off heating in rooms that are
       not being used for long periods
       and close the door.
   •   When using a kettle ensure you
       only put in enough water for what
       you need.

If you are unsure about any of the advice
contained it this fact sheet, contact Age
Concern Hackney Coldline - Tel: 020
7241 2299 and ask for one of its trained
energy advisors to help you.


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