Affordable Warmth and Energy Efficiency Advice
Practicing energy efficiency helps the planet
by reducing the amount of harmful emissions released into the
atmosphere. Simple measures can also reduce fuel bills and conserve
heat, giving you a warmer home.
Cumbria Warm Homes Project
Allerdale Borough Council is currently working with the
Cumbria Warm Homes Partnership to run the Cumbria Warm Homes
Project to offer homeowners and private tenants a free home energy
survey. The survey may recommend energy efficiency measures
for your home. You will then be offered these efficiency
measures to purchase if you wish. Cavity wall insulation and loft
insulation could be installed free for certain people or
offered to you at a reduced cost. If you are a private tenant,
cavity wall and loft insulation is free of charge. Other
measures such as replacement boiler or heating systems, external
and internal solid wall insulation and solar panels may be offered
to you for purchase. For further information, please see
the leaflet in the downloadable documents section below. To apply
for your free home energy survey, with no obligation to take up any
offers, visit www.cumbriawarmhomes.org.uk
(external link) or telephone CosySeal Insulation Ltd, the
project installer, on 0800 328 8419.
Warm Front Grant
The Warm Front Scheme is a Government funded initiative that can
offer a grant for central heating and home insulation. For further
information please see our Warm Front Grant
webpage.
Worried about being able to pay your fuel bills?
If you are worried about being able to pay your fuel bills
this winter you can call Cumbria Community Foundation on
01900 825760 and apply to their Winter Warmth Fund for financial
help.
Top Tips to Reduce your Energy Bills
Switch to direct debits and paperless billing
The cheapest way to pay your energy bills is by monthly Direct
Debit. Many energy companies offer discounts to customers who agree
to pay this way. Speak to your energy company to see if they
provide such discounts.
Another way to cut down on your costs is with paperless billing.
Again, many suppliers offer discounts if you agree to this. Instead
of receiving bills in the post, you'll get email from your energy
supplier and can manage your account and submit meter readings
online.
This type of billing also has wider energy saving implications,
cutting the paper needed to send out and pay bills by post.
Take regular meter readings
If your gas and electricity meters aren't read
regularly, bills based on estimated readings mean you could end up
paying for much more gas or electricity than you actually use.
Reading your meter regularly and updating your energy supplier also
enables you to keep track of what you're using and cut back if
necessary.
Compare suppliers
Energy suppliers are all competing with each other, so switching
suppliers can be a great way to cut your energy bills. According to
gas and electricity regulator Ofgem, customers who switch both gas
and electricity suppliers could stand to save more than £100 a year
- but do your research before you make changes.
There are a number of comparison sites on the internet where you
can find the suppliers offering the best prices and service. You
can also compare green tariffs which allow customers to buy through
schemes that use or invest in renewable energy sources.
It may also pay to look into dual fuel deals, where you get your
gas and electricity from the same supplier. These often offer
discounts and can work out cheaper.
Replace broken appliances with more efficient models
Investing in some Energy Saving Recommended products and Energy
Saving Recommended lighting is a quick way to stop wasting energy
and money. Making bigger changes to your home like installing
insulation or buying a new boiler can give you even more
significant savings. There are also grants and offers available for
people who want to make their homes more energy efficient.
Insulate your home
Insulating cavity walls, lofts, tanks and pipes can give you
significant savings on your heating bills as well as reducing
CO2 emissions. Even simple draught proofing to fill the
gaps around your windows can help.
Fit energy saving glazing
It can save you around £140 per year in heating costs, as well
as 720 kilograms of CO2.
Consider a condensing boiler
These boilers are the most energy efficient on the market and
upgrading to a condensing boiler and full heating controls could
save up to £235 per year.
Generate your own energy
If you've done everything above, why not consider renewable
energy? Renewable energy technologies like solar panels, wind
turbines, and wood fuelled heaters are becoming increasingly
popular. These are effective alternatives to fossil fuels and will
help you to meet your own energy requirements and reduce your home
CO2 emissions.