1Fuel Poverty and Affordable EnergyIntroduction

Fuel Poverty & Affordable Energy

Guide for frontline staff

(How to help people struggling with their fuel bills)

Produced by Portsmouth’s Fuel Poverty and Affordable Energy Partnership

www.portsmouth.gov.uk

2Fuel Poverty and Affordable EnergyIntroduction

Fuel Poverty

Introduction 3

Fuel Poverty 4

Impacts

Health effects of the cold 5

Recommended indoor temperatures 6

Wider impacts of fuel poverty 6

Help available in private housing

What can the Council do? 9

Legislation to help tenants in the 9 private rented sector

Help available in Council and housing association homes

Local Authority Housing Energy Team 10

Home energy visits 10

Help for housing association residents 11

Help available from other agencies

Local agencies 12

National agencies 13

Grants and loans

Warm Home Discount 14

Disabled Facilities Grant 14

Home improvement grants and loans 15

Emergency heating provision 15

Winter Fuel Payment 15

Cold Weather Payment 15

Cutting energy bills

Energy tariffs 16

Energy Trust Grants 16

Lighting 16

General energy saving tips 17

Contents

Damp, condensation and mould

What is condensation and what causes it? 7

Why is condensation a problem? 7

Ways to avoid a build-up of condensation 7

How to get rid of mould 8

Further advice on damp and mould 8

Practitioners’ checklist

Fuel poverty and affordable warmth check list 18

Contact numbers for energy saving and advice 19

3Fuel Poverty and Affordable EnergyIntroduction

IntroductionWith the current economic climate and rising fuel costs, many people in the city are struggling to pay their fuel bills. For some people, this may mean having to make stark choices between heating or eating. Sometimes it’s easy to think that ‘nothing can be done’ but frontline staff are often surprised to find out that there are sources of advice and support out there that can make a difference. Advice given by a frontline worker can make a real impact.

This guide is intended to inform frontline staff about the actions they can take, and the resources they can access, in order to help people they might be working with who are struggling. The overall messages we want to get out there to residents in the city are simple - living in a warm home is good for the health and the pocket! Reducing people’s fuel bills means that residents can not only save money, but can keep themselves warm and can reduce the city’s carbon footprint.

Although this guide has been produced for frontline staff, any of the sections can be printed out, or shared as online links, for customers who are looking for information on affordable energy and the help available to prevent fuel poverty.

4Fuel Poverty and Affordable EnergyIntroduction

Fuel PovertyThe previous definition of fuel poverty was a household that needed to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel, to maintain a temperature of 21° Celsius for the main living area, and 18° Celsius for other occupied rooms. (But note that new health guidance has since amended the recommended room temperatures, stating that a minimum temperature of 18° Celsius is recommended, but for older people and individuals with pre-existing medical conditions this may need to be higher).

The measure was based on energy needs (i.e required household energy consumption for space heating, lights and appliance usage, water heating and cooking) and an average tariff for that household. But this previous measure was felt to be not as effective as required (e.g. the Queen could be in fuel poverty!)

Consequently a new measure was developed in 2013 which calculates the overlap between low income in a household, and higher than usual energy costs. This is called the Low Income High Cost (LIHC) Indicator. It effectively measures the extent of fuel poverty, when people have fuel costs above average which take them below the poverty line. It also measures the depth of the problem (how far people’s energy needs exceed reasonable costs), known as the fuel poverty gap. It counts the number of individuals as well as households. Under the new LIHC measure, 12.3% of households in Portsmouth across all tenures are deemed to be in fuel poverty (DECC 2013).

In terms of what works to reduce fuel poverty, research shows that policies that improve thermal efficiency of housing stock tend to be most cost-effective (they reduce fuel poverty and greenhouse gas emissions). However these policies take time to have an effect and some short-term interventions are still required in the interim.

Tackling fuel poverty gives wider societal benefits which can address the priorities of a number of services. For example, work on fuel poverty can prevent excess winter deaths and other public health issues; it can alleviate wider poverty and other poorer outcomes for people around areas such as housing and education; and it can decrease carbon emissions. This can be around simple work such as increasing insulation of homes, reducing draughts, reducing energy wastage (e.g. things left on standby) and moving to low carbon options e.g. more efficient boilers, gas instead of electric heaters, etc.

5ImpactsFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Impacts There can be multiple impacts of living in a cold or energy inefficient home as follows:

Health effects of the coldDeaths from hypothermia are thankfully rare in Britain, but cold weather and inadequate heating increases the death rate during the winter months, particularly amongst older people and those who have chronic health conditions. These groups are most at risk of the cold because it is more difficult to control body heat as we age and older people and those with disabilities may be spending more hours at home and moving around less.

A combination of factors put older people and those who have chronic health conditions more at risk: as people age their ability to maintain a normal body temperature often declines, sensitivity to registering the cold can also decrease, and it can take longer to get warm again when the body has become cold.

In cold conditions there is a greater risk of heart attack and stroke, for as the body temperature falls the blood thickens to keep core organs such as the heart and lungs warm and does not circulate so well. The body will also move blood from the extremities e.g. hands, feet and outer skin to the core of the body. This causes blood pressure to rise, the blood vessels narrow and as a consequence the risk of heart attacks and strokes rises. Circulatory and respiratory diseases are the major risks to health.

In the UK a cold spell (temperatures below 12° Celsius) during a mild winter is followed:

• 2 days later by a rise in the number of people having heart attacks

• 3 days later by a rise in the number of people having a stroke

• 12 days later by a rise in the number of people experiencing respiratory disease These are the most serious health conditions that are induced by the cold and each winter in Portsmouth this can result in between 150 and 300 preventable deaths which are known as Excess Winter Deaths. In addition people living in homes at temperatures between 12° and 15° Celsius have an increased tendency to suffer from colds, flu and chest infections, as the cold lowers resistance to respiratory infections and impairs lung function.

Cold conditions in the home can also contribute to condensation, dampness and mould growth, which in turn can lead to allergies and can cause problems for people with respiratory illnesses such as asthma.

6ImpactsFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Recommended indoor temperatures are:18°C during both daytime and night-time, in any room. However, for people 65 years and over, or with pre-existing medical conditions, having temperatures slightly above this threshold may be beneficial for health.

If someone can’t afford to heat the whole house they should keep their living room warm and heat the bedroom before going to bed.

If it is very cold it is advisable not to leave the bedroom window open at night.

Wider impacts of fuel poverty Whilst older people tend to be the group at highest risk of fuel poverty, it is important to note that children and families are the second most prevalent group to feature in terms of vulnerability. Many families in the city are suffering financial hardship with approximately a quarter of all children in the city classified as living in poverty. In addition children and families have been hit particularly hard by the welfare reforms.

Low incomes have meant less money for food and fuel, creating a ‘heat or eat’ dilemma for some families.

This can have an effect not only on diet but on children’s homework and education, and on parental mental health, through increased anxiety for example. Work to identify families who may be suffering from fuel poverty, in order to offer advice, support and access to any relevant resources is therefore an important role for frontline staff, who have often built up relationships with families who may be in need.

A simple checklist can be found in the ‘Practitioners’ checklist’ section of this guide, which can be used as a prompt to assess whether someone might be at risk, and where to get help.

7Damp, condensation and mouldFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Damp, condensation and mouldWinter is often the time when condensation and black mould may develop in your home. Condensation is the most common cause of damp and black mould.

What is condensation and what causes it?Everyday things like cooking, washing, bathing and even breathing cause moisture, which is released into the air. This water vapour will cool when coming into contact with a cold surface (ie. windows, walls, floors) and will turn into water droplets, which is condensation. This mainly happens during the colder months and is the most common cause of dampness in the home, especially in cold rooms.

Why is condensation a problem?Condensation can cause dampness and mould within your home which can create a distinctive musty smell. If condensation builds on a surface it can cause black mould to grow. The most common places are walls, ceilings, window frames, window sills and floors. If this is not treated it can damage the building, as well as clothes, curtains, bedding and furniture. Untreated mould can be very harmful to your health.

Ways to avoid a build-up of condensation Simple steps to reduce moisture in your home to prevent condensation and mould growth:

• It is normal to find windows misted up in the morning after a cold night - regularly wipe moisture down.

• Windows are prone to moisture build up; ensure this is wiped down regularly.

• Regularly open windows to increase ventilation to allow moist air to escape.

• Move furniture away from walls to allow a gap for air flow.

• Heat your home, to ensure an even temperature.

• Use lids on pots and pans when cooking.

• Open kitchen windows when cooking and close kitchen door.

• Don’t dry clothes inside or on radiators. If it’s necessary to dry clothes indoors ensure a window is open where the clothes are drying.

• Ensure tumble dryers are vented to the outside or use a condensing dryer.

• When running a bath, run the cold first and then top up with hot. This reduces steam by up to 90%.

• Close the bathroom door when having a shower or bath and open the window for at least 30 minutes afterwards.

• If you have an extractor fan do not switch it off.

• Dry surfaces after a bath or shower.

• Keep trickle vents open if you have them on your windows.

• Do not cover fans or vents.

www.portsmouth.gov.uk

8Damp, condensation and mouldFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

How to get rid of mould• Wash down ceilings, walls, windows

and frames with a mould and mildew remover. Read instructions before use.

• If necessary repeat wash down 24 hours later.

• Once treated paint with good-quality fungicidal paint to help prevent mould recurring.

• Dry-clean clothes and shampoo carpets.

Further advice on damp and mouldIf taking these steps does not reduce the damp or mould in the home, or if you think the home could have penetrative or rising damp (where water is getting in to the building), get specialist advice.

For Portsmouth City Council tenants, please contact your area office or the Energy Team. For the Energy Team call 023 9283 4670 or email housing.energy.team@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

For private sector tenants and home-owners, call 023 9268 8369 or email the Private Sector Housing team at housing.privatesector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

For a more detailed guide to dealing with black mould and condensation in your home, visit www.portsmouth.gov.uk/ext/documents-external/hou-condensation-mould-leaflet.pdf

9Help available in Private HousingFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Help available in private housingThere is advice and help available for people who rent from a private landlord, or own their own home.

What can the Council do?Tenants of private landlords or letting agents, and people who own their own home, where, for example, there may be an inadequate heating system or problems with damp and mould, can contact the Council for a Housing Health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS) inspection.

The HHSRS is a risk-based evaluation tool to help local authorities identify and protect against potential risks and hazards to people’s health and safety from any deficiencies identified in a home. It was introduced under the Housing Act 2004 and applies to residential properties in England and Wales.

Some of these risks and hazards relate directly to fuel poverty issues. Under the legislation, all dwellings, including the structure and associated outbuildings, garden and outside space, should provide a safe and healthy environment for the occupants and any visitors. All dwellings have hazards, however where possible, they should be removed or reduced. The HHSRS assesses 29 categories of housing hazard, which include damp, mould growth and excess heat or excess cold - hence how this can link to helping someone with fuel poverty issues.

As a result of an HHSRS inspection the Housing Standards Officer may then require private landlords to carry out works to remove hazards, considering a range of factors including heating systems and thermal efficiency. They can also give advice to homeowners on action they can take to improve their home, and any help that may be available to help them do this.

Those who feel their home may have one or more potential hazard can request an inspection by contacting Private Sector Housing on: 023 9268 8369.

Legislation to help tenants in the private rented sectorThere is a requirement for the Minimum Energy Efficiency standard regulations to be in force by 1st April 2018, which will require all eligible properties in the sector to be improved to a specified minimum standard.

For domestic private rented sector tenants, Energy Efficiency Improvement Regulations must be in force by 1 April 2016, and will empower tenants in the sector to request consent for energy efficiency measures that may not unreasonably be refused by the landlord.

10Help available in Local Authority HousingFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Help available in Council and housing association homesLocal Authority Housing (LAH) - Energy TeamPortsmouth City Council has a team dedicated to saving energy in its housing called the LAH Energy Team. With a large annual energy bill it is important for the Council to find ways of reducing this bill, as well as helping to reduce the bills of its residents. An important part of this is to work with residents and managers of LAH-owned communal buildings to help them reduce energy consumption and alleviate fuel poverty. The following is available from the team:

Home energy visitsThe energy team offer face to face energy advice in residents’ homes to support them to understand how energy is consumed in their homes, possible ways it can be reduced and how to use their heating efficiently. (This service is available for Council housing tenants only, although some limited advice is available to Council leaseholders).

A home energy questionnaire is completed with the resident, and the team can provide help and support on the following issues:

• That all radiators work correctly and where necessary arrange for radiators to be surveyed for re-sizing

• Heating controls, setting timers, thermostatic radiator valve settings (TRVs), setting temperatures and boiler settings will be looked at to find ways energy can be saved and consumption reduced

• Payment methods: Pre-payment, direct debit and quarterly bills. The benefits of paying by direct debit over pre-payment

• Supplier tariffs

• Pre-payment meters checked for debt

• Contacting energy companies on residents’ behalf

• Install 3 LED bulbs, maybe more depending on resident needs

• Calculate running costs of electrical appliances. Set up electricity energy monitors. These will be loaned for 6 months

• Install radiator reflectors

• Identifying areas of condensation and black mould and ensuring that the residents fully understand the causes and ways they can reduce moisture in the air to prevent mould returning

• Raising awareness of the Warm Home Discount, sign-posting residents and helping those apply who need additional help

• Refer to other teams within Housing: Surveyors and Housing Officers

• Ways residents can reduce energy consumption in their homes

In order to request a visit for a tenant, the team can be contacted on 023 9283 4670, or emailed at housing.energy.team@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

11Help available in Local Authority HousingFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Help for housing association residents Housing associations want to help their tenants to save energy and reduce costs, but the help available will depend on the type of home and the landlord. Residents should contact their housing association’s customer services team to ask about help to make their home warmer or more energy efficient.

Some housing associations have a dedicated team helping to reduce fuel poverty. These are some examples of teams working in Portsmouth.

First Wessex Green Living Service

This service aims to engage as many First Wessex tenants as possible, with energy & water saving behavioural change activities and campaigns, with a view to reducing running costs, building communities and cutting emissions.

The team can:

• Visit residents in their homes

• Discuss energy use & ways to reduce consumption

• Set up energy monitors

• Discuss payment methods: Pre-payment/direct debit/spreading cost

• Discuss causes of condensation and mould and ways of reducing moisture in the air

• Raise repairs with Property Services

• Refer to Surveyors for more complicated building issues

• Refer to Neighbourhood Managers or Money Advice & Benefits team

• Sign-post grants and utility company support

• Give tailored advice on new technologies, such as solar PV, solar thermal, MVHR and effective heat pump use

• Take meter readings, collect historic consumption data and compare use during future visits attempting to show savings made

Where appropriate the service will freely install:

• Radiator reflectors

• CFL bulbs

• Tap aerators

• Water & energy saving shower heads

• Toilet cistern displacement devices

• LCD thermometers

• Power down/ standby devices for TVs

The First Wessex Green Living Service is only available to First Wessex residents. Help can be requested via:

Email: sustainability@firstwessex.org

Phone: 0800 328 6464 (free from landlines)

or 0300 303 8678 (local rate from landlines, free to call from mobiles if free minutes with contract plan).

Write to:

Green Living Team, First Wessex, Peninsular House, Wharf Road, Portsmouth, P02 8HB

Southern Housing Group Provision

The Home Energy Advice Team (Heat) service is free for all Southern Housing Group residents. To book an appointment, tenants can call the service centre on:

South Region - 0300 303 1064 Choose option 4 and ask for the Home Energy Advice Team, or alternatively email: homeenergyadviceteam@shgroup.org.uk

Radian Housing

Help and advice for Radian residents. Contact us at: 0300 123 1567 or email: radiandirect@radian.co.uk

12Help available from other agenciesFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Help available from other agenciesThis guide for frontline staff has set out basic actions and advice that they can deliver to vulnerable residents in order to alleviate fuel poverty, and has detailed some of the support available through the Council for both social and private housing tenants.

However there are other key advice and support agencies out there that can help with fuel poverty issues as follows:

Local agenciesAge UK Portsmouth

Age UK Portsmouth can offer free information and advice about how to save money and energy, and wider benefit checks (e.g. many older people do not claim pension credit when they are entitled to)

Phone 023 9286 2121 or visit http://www.ageuk.org.uk/portsmouth

Advice Portsmouth

Advice Portsmouth offers free, independent and confidential general and specialist advice on both fuel poverty and wider areas such as debt, benefits, housing, employment and legal issues.

Phone 023 9279 4340 or visit the drop-in which is open Monday – Wednesday 9am–5pm, Thursday 1pm–7.30pm and Friday 9am–4.30pm, at 116 Kingston Crescent, North End. Alternatively, visit www.adviceportsmouth.org.uk

Portsmouth Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB)

Debt advice (including fuel debts) is available from the CAB Debt Advice Centre at Ark Royal House on Winston Churchill Avenue, Portsmouth PO1 2GF. The Debt Advice Centre drop-in operates Monday–Friday, 9.30am–12.30pm (or phone 023 9285 5855 Monday–Friday 9.30am–4pm).

Cosham CAB

If you live or work in the Cosham and Paulsgrove areas, Cosham CAB can provide free, confidential and impartial advice covering debt, housing, benefits, employment and family breakdown, at Northern Roundabout, Northern Road, Cosham. Drop-in on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 10am–4pm, or phone 03444 111306.

Portsmouth Family Information Service (FIS)

The Family Information Service (previously Portsmouth Chat) provides tailored information, advice and guidance to families with children from pre-birth to 19, and those working with families. Advice includes help with finding local childminders, nurseries or other childcare providers, activity groups and other family services. They also provide advice and guidance around benefits and other financial issues, which can include advice around fuel poverty.

Contact by phone on 023 9268 8830, email fis@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or visit the ground floor reception of the Civic Offices, Guildhall Square, Portsmouth, PO1 2AS.

Home Safety Team

The Home Safety team can provide temporary heaters on loan for those clients whose heating may be broken and are waiting for it to be fixed.

There are a limited number of heaters and these will be lent on a first come first serve basis for a maximum of four weeks at a time. Should the client wish to extend the loan period this will need to be discussed with the Home Safety Team.

Draught-proofing of exterior wooden doors and letter boxes is also available free of charge by calling 023 9283 4460.

13Help available from other agenciesFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

National agenciesHome Heat Helpline

This is a free, central phone number for advice on grants and how to save money on heating bills through making homes more energy efficient, and is staffed by experts.

Phone 0800 33 66 99 or visit www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

Energy Saving Trust website

This website provides independent and impartial advice about how to save energy and money. The site includes an online audit which will offer visitors a simple list of actions they can take, such as putting foil behind radiators, only boiling the amount of water they need in a kettle, changing to energy-efficient light bulbs etc. Visit their website at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Energy Saving Advice Service

For advice on making homes more energy efficient, or on saving money on energy bills.

This is a government agency that gives advice on the different schemes and options available. Phone 0300 123 1234 (lines open 9am–8pm Monday–Friday and 10am–2pm Saturday)

14Grants and LoansFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Grants and loansOne of the difficulties with providing up-to-date information about grants and loans is that they change constantly; some become unavailable; new ones become available; and criteria change. This section does not therefore attempt to map all of the different grants and loans; but has identified some of the key financial support which has demonstrated an ongoing presence in the market, and which is specifically targeted at fuel poverty.

Warm Home DiscountThe Warm Home Discount is a 5 year programme introduced by the government in April 2011 and administered by energy companies to help those most in need. The Warm Home Discount offers a one-off payment to customers’ electricity accounts. Lines usually open for applications in April/May time. For winter 2015/16, the discount is £140. The smaller energy companies do not offer the Warm Home Discount. Check the link further down for the list of participating energy companies and their criteria.

The Warm Home Discount splits households into two groups, core and broader as follows:

Core group – Pension Credits:

People may qualify for this energy discount if on 20 July 2014 (the qualifying date) they are either:

• aged under 75 and receiving only the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit (no Savings Credit)

• aged 75 or over and are receiving the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit, (even if you get Savings Credit as well).

Broader group

• Broader group – criteria varies between energy companies but includes those on DLA/ESA/Children under 5, child tax credits but not families on working tax credit. Household income of less than £16,190.

For full criteria: https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme/eligibility

If someone is a Council housing tenant and needs help applying please contact the Housing Energy Team on 023 9283 4670 or email housing.energy.team@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.

For people in the private sector who may need assistance, help is available from a range of different advice services with completing applications for grants/benefits such as this – see ‘help available from other agencies’ on page 12.

Disabled Facilities GrantResidents may be able to get a grant from the council if they are disabled and need to make changes to their home, for example to:

• Widen doors and install ramps

• Improve access to rooms and facilities - e.g. stair lift or downstairs bathroom

• Provide a heating system suitable for their needs

• Adapt heating or lighting controls to make them easier to use

A Disabled Facilities Grant will not affect any benefits that they are getting. They or someone living in their property must be disabled. Either they or the person they are applying for must:

• Own the property or be a tenant

• Intend to live in the property during the grant period (currently 5 years) Landlords can also apply for grants if they have a disabled tenant.

The council needs to be satisfied that the work is:

• Necessary and appropriate to meet the disabled person’s needs

• Reasonable and can be done - depending on the age and condition of the property.

• To request an assessment of the home and how it could be improved to meet the occupants’ needs, contact private sector housing team on 023 9268 8369

15Grants and LoansFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Home improvement grants and loansPortsmouth City Council offers advice on ways to improve or adapt homes in the city. There are financial support packages for home improvements to those who qualify. These financial support packages can be grants, low cost loans or a combination of both - depending on individual circumstances - and cover a range of improvements and/or repairs, some of which would relate directly to alleviating fuel poverty.

Further details on all of the above can be found by searching ‘Private Sector Housing’ on www.portsmouth.gov.uk

Or email the Private Sector Housing team at housing.privatesector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk Or call 023 9268 8369

Emergency heating provisionIf someone’s heating has broken and they are awaiting repair, electric oil filled radiators are available on loan from the Home Safety Team on 023 9283 4460

Winter Fuel PaymentThe Winter Fuel Payment is for those born before 5 January 1952, and is a payment of between £100 and £300. It is usually paid automatically between November and December to those on the state pension or other social security benefit (not solely Housing Benefit, Council Tax Support or Child Benefit). However if people qualify but don’t get automatic payments they need to make a claim – further details can be found at www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Cold Weather PaymentPeople may get a Cold Weather Payment if they’re getting:

• Pension Credit

• Income Support

• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment Support Allowance

• Universal Credit

Automatic payments are made when local temperature is either recorded as, or forecast to be, an average of 0°c or below over 7 consecutive days. A payment is made of £25 for each 7 day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March. Further details can be found at: www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

16Cutting energy bills - energy saving adviceFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Cutting energy billsEnergy tariffsGetting the best deals:

This guide cannot recommend which supplier residents should switch to, or give advice on which tariffs are best for them, as it will very much depend on their personal circumstances and usage. However, accredited switching websites or telephone switching lines are available and can help residents to find the best deal. A list of accredited sites can be found on the Ofgem website on the following link: www.ofgem.gov.uk/information-consumers/domestic-consumers/switching-your-energy-supplier/confidence-code

Alternatively, residents can contact their current supplier directly to ask whether they are on the cheapest deal for them. (Anecdotal evidence suggests that this contact often results in discovering that money can be saved simply by moving to a cheaper deal with the current provider).

Economy 7

If a resident is on an Economy 7 tariff but has gas central heating, they will need to contact their energy company as they will be on a high tariff. Economy 7 tariff charges are higher during the day and reduce during the night and are only suitable for homes with Economy 7 heating (electric storage heaters).

Energy Trust GrantsBoth British Gas Energy Trust and EDF Energy Trust offer grants to people in need, which can be used to pay for utility bill arrears and energy efficient household electrical items. These grants are open to customers of any utility company, not just British Gas and EDF. Applications can be made online, and further information is available on their websites:

www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

www.edfenergytrust.org.uk

Lighting• Lighting accounts for 7% of a typical

household`s energy bill. Cutting the lighting bill is one of the easiest ways to save money on electricity bills.

• Savings of £55 per year can be made by switching to LED light bulbs, and more if spotlights are fitted in the home.

• LEDs are the most energy-efficient bulbs. They use 90% less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs, they can last a long time (25-30 years depending on how often they are used); and they give out light instantly.

• Finally, turn all lights off when leaving a room even if it is only for a short time.

17Cutting energy bills - energy saving adviceFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

General energy saving tips• The average house uses 37% of its energy

in the winter, compared to 13% in the summer, nearly 3 times as much!

• If a resident is spending £1,400 per year on energy this equates to approximately £43 per week in the winter months compared to £15 per week in the summer months. It is advisable therefore to top up pre-payment meters with a little extra money in the summer months to build up credit for the colder winter months.

• Move furniture away from radiators as valuable heat will be absorbed by the furniture and leave rooms feeling colder.

• Radiator reflectors, which can be purchased or made using aluminium foil wrapped around a sheet of cardboard, ensure that the heat from the radiator stays in the room, rather than being lost through the wall behind the radiator. This is especially important on poorly insulated external walls.

• Tumble driers cost around 45p an hour to run; dry clothes outside or indoors in a well-ventilated room.

• Don’t leave items on stand-by, always switch them off. On average each appliance left on stand-by costs £10 per year, with the average household leaving 10-15 items on standby.

• Washing clothes at 30 degrees reduces energy use by up to 40%.

• Draw curtains at dusk to keep out the cold and hang a curtain across the front door.

• Portsmouth Water Supply customers can get a pack of free water saving products including a water efficient shower head.

Contact: www.savewatersavemoney.co.uk/portsmouth/free-water-saving-products

18Practitioners’ checklistFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

Fuel poverty and affordable warmth check listIf you spot these signs, find out if your client needs help. There might be other reasons for some of these signs, but the more signs you see, the more likely that your client is at risk and needs help.

Recommended room temperature is at least 18°C, however for people aged over 65 or with medical conditions, a warmer temperature may be better.

Is the home:

cold and draughty

smelling of damp

suffering from mould on the walls or ceilings

collecting water in window frames or on windowsills

showing no visible form of heating

using only electric heaters or portable heating

showing vents that are covered or blocked up

displaying poor lighting, or has no light bulbs

Is your client:

struggling to juggle the cost of fuel, food and other essentials

dealing with health conditions made worse by cold homese.g. asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, strokes, mental health issues

only heating or living in one room

staying in bed, or going to bed early to keep warm

wearing outdoor clothing indoors e.g. coat, hat, gloves

reluctant to spend time at home, or allow people to visit, because it’s cold

Practitioners’ checklist

If you find any of these problems, turn over for help and advice on who to contact.

19Practitioners’ checklistFuel Poverty and Affordable Energy

City Council Tenants

Contact the Energy Team: Tel 023 9283 4670 Email: housing.energy.team@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Housing Association Tenants

Contact your Customer Services team and ask about help to make your home more energy efficient.

Private Sector Tenants and Homeowners

Contact the Community Housing Team for help and advice, if your landlord is not doing enough to maintain your home, or if you cannot afford to bring your own home up to a decent standard. Electric heaters can be loaned for short term emergencies (but these are expensive for households to run longer term) Tel 023 9268 8369 Email: housing.privatesector@portsmouthcc.gov.uk

Other help and advice

• Age UK Portsmouth can help people over 50, with benefit checks, assistance with tariff switching and information and advice about how to save money and energy, including the Warm Homes Discount. Tel 023 9286 2121

• Advice Portsmouth offer free housing, welfare benefits, debt and fuel poverty advice. Tel 023 9279 4340

• Cosham CAB offer free housing, welfare benefits, debt and fuel poverty advice to people living or working in the PO6 area. Tel 023 9231 5411

• Portsmouth CAB Debt Advice Centre offer free help with debt, including fuel poverty debt. Tel 023 9285 5855

• Many people are not claiming the benefits they are entitled to, such as Pension Credit or Council Tax Support. Get a benefits check or search for grants from charitable funds online at www.turn2us.org.uk - or contact one of the advice services above if you need help completing a benefits check.

Get advice and tips on saving energy to reduce your gas and electric bills from:

• Home Heat Helpline - Tel 0800 336699 or online www.homeheathelpline.org.uk

• Energy Saving Trust - go online www.energysavingtrust.org.uk

Ring the Energy Saving Advice Service if you want advice on making your home more energy efficient, or on saving money on your energy bills. This is a Government agency that gives advice on the different schemes and options available.

Tel: 0300 123 1234 (lines open 9am–8pm Monday–Friday and 10am–2pm Saturday)

Contact numbers for energy saving and advice