Save Energy - Save Money

							                 Save Energy - Save Money
Cut down on your energy use and your fuel bills

Insulating

• Double glazing will save you money in the long term but a low cost, short-
term alternative would be to tape polythene across window frames.

• Make sure that your loft is adequately insulated - 30 cm thick is optimum.

• Close curtains and blinds at dusk to retain heat.

• To avoid wasted heat use an easy-to-fix brush or PVC seal on your
exterior doors.

• Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting
boards by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.

Heating and Hot Water

• Central Heating: The optimum level to set your thermostat is 21C (70F).
Remember that by turning your thermostat down by 1°C you could cut your
heating bills by up to 10%. And if you're going away for winter, leave the
thermostat on a low setting to provide protection from freezing at minimum
cost.

• When fitting a new boiler choose an energy efficient combination /
condenser boiler close to where it is needed.

• Fit Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRV’s) to individual radiators so you
can regulate each room to your own comfort level.

• Hot water: For most people, setting the cylinder thermostat at 60°C/140°F
is fine for bathing and washing.

• Ensure your water pipes and water tank are lagged and your hot water
cylinder is fully insulated.

• Always put the plug in your basin or sink. Leaving hot water running
straight down the drain really is throwing money away.

Electrical

• Lights: Always turn them off when you leave a room and adjust your
curtains or blinds to let in as much light as possible during the day. Energy
saving lightbulbs seem expensive but will save you money in the longer term.
• Televisions, videos, stereos, computers, and cordless phones: To
cut down on wasted energy, avoid leaving appliances on standby and
remember not to leave them on charge unnecessarily. However please check
the user manual first.

• Fridges: Don’t leave the door open for longer than necessary; cold air
escapes. Make sure that it has a good magnetic seal. Allow hot or warm food
to cool down before putting it in the fridge. Defrost your freezer regularly. If it
tends to frost up quickly, check the door seal, and if you have your fridge
next to a cooker or boiler, leave a good gap between them.

• Washing machines and tumble dryers: Always wash a full load and if
you can’t, use a half-load or economy programme. Wring out or spin-dry
really wet clothes before putting them into a tumble dryer.

• If you are drying clothes indoors use a clothes horse rather than a
radiator.

• Dishwashers: Try and use the low temperature programme, and ensure
you wash a full load.

• Keep lids on saucepans when cooking and use a cooker ring that is the
right size for the saucepan.

Things to remember

• It’s very important to ensure that any appliance, including cookers or
boilers, has enough ventilation to operate safely.

• Do not block up existing air vents or grills, they are there to ensure your
safety.

• Make sure any chimneys and flues being used by appliances burning fuel
(gas, coal, oil, wood etc) are regularly swept and checked for blockages.

Advice for older people on keeping warm this winter

How can older people take steps to help themselves keep warm?

• Don’t economise unnecessarily on your heating. Heat the whole
house, not just one room. Many health conditions can be made worse by
moving from a warm room to a cold corridor. Don’t risk your life by
worrying about fuel bills over a couple of weeks of cold weather.

• If you are worried about how to pay for heating your home, talk to your
energy supplier. They should be able to reassure you that you won’t be cut
off for turning up your central heating. Remember that it is more fuel-efficient
to keep a house at a stable warm temperature than it is to heat it from cold
every day, and it lessens the risk of burst pipes.

 Take sensible precautions. Wrap up well if you’re going out, and
remember that lots of layers are better than a thick jumper. Eat hot meals
and take plenty of hot drinks. Take a hot water bottle to bed with you.

• Be weather-wise - by keeping an eye on the long range forecast so you
know in advance when the coldest weather is due. Make sure you have
sufficient fuel and food to last a few days. Have a torch readily available in
case of electricity blackouts and ask family or friends to keep in touch at
these times to ensure that you have any help you need.

Be a good neighbour

Help older people by offering to do shopping when there’s ice and snow
around or by spreading sand or gravel on doorsteps and paths. Have a look at
your neighbour’s house each morning and if you notice something unusual,
such as newspapers left outside, call and make sure that they are alright.

• If an older person shows signs of suffering the effects of the cold, move
them to warmer surroundings, wrap them in a light layer of blankets
and call a doctor.

You may be entitled to a Winter Bonus

The Winter Bonus is a lump sum payment paid by Social Security to certain
people who are in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker’s
Allowance.

Who can get a Winter Bonus?

To be entitled to the Winter Bonus, a person must be receiving Income
Support or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance in the first week in January.
In addition they must have included in their allowance a pensioner premium
(or an incapacity or disability premium) or an additional allowance for a child
aged under 5 who is living with them.

For those who are under pension age they must also have received a
Christmas Bonus in the previous December.

How do I claim a Winter Bonus?

The Bonus is paid automatically; no separate claim is required. However,
if you think you may be entitled to a Winter Bonus but don’t receive one,
contact the Income Support Group. For pensioners the telephone
number is 687020 and for those under pension age it is 685094.
How is it paid?

If you are entitled to a Winter Bonus, it will be paid with your Income Support
or income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance in January.

Where can I get help to make my house warmer?

The Department of Local Government and the Environment operate various
grants for energy saving improvements. Assistance can be claimed by
owner/occupiers for a range of work, although payment of some grants is
affected by your income.

Energy saving improvements covered by the scheme include:

Replacement windows, roof repairs, first time installation of gas/oil central
heating, loft insulation and hot water tank/supply pipe insulation, replacement
of a central heating boiler with an energy efficient boiler. Obtain further
information on the scheme from: www.gov.im/dlge/housing
or contact:
Customer Service Office, Estates and Housing
Directorate, Department of Local Government and
the Environment, Murray House, Mount Havelock,
Douglas, IM1 2SF. Telephone 685955.

Further information

Age Concern Isle of Man,
19 Drinkwater Street, Douglas
Telephone 613044

Other sources of help and support
The Salvation Army
Contact Hilary Borthwick at the
Salvation Army Citadel, Lord Street, Douglas
Telephone 627742

The Manx Electricity Authority produce an energy efficiency advice leaflet
which is available from its showrooms or from its website: ww.gov.im/mea

The Manx Energy Advice Centre can also provide you with further advice and
information visit www.meac.iofm.net E-mail: office@meac.iofm.net

                    This leaflet has been produced by the
                      Isle of Man Office of Fair Trading
                             Government Building
                Lord Street • Douglas • Isle of Man • IM1 1LE
                        Telephone: (01624) 686500
                      E-mail: iomfairtrading@gov.im