According to Home Heat Helpline research(1), as many as 3.6 million households could benefit from free home insulation paid for by their energy companies. The Home Heat Helpline is urging households to call today, when demand for insulation is at its lowest.
Home Heat Helpline urges householders to act now and get prepared ahead of winter.
Despite one of the warmest summers on record, the British public is already worrying about the winter ahead, new research reveals. Almost half of us are concerned about our winter energy bills, according to new YouGov research, commissioned by the Home Heat Helpline. The energy helpline is urging people to get in touch now to access the free help available before the cold weather hits.
The new research – carried out amid baking temperatures of up to 27 C – revealed that one in three adults are already thinking about how cold it could be later this year, with 44 per cent concerned about the possible impact on their energy bills. For people who are retired, this figure rises to 50 per cent, showing just how many are thinking about how they will pay their energy bills if last year’s icy conditions – the coldest winter of the past 30 years – are repeated.
For retired people, this figure rises to one in every two people, emphasising the level of concern among older people about how they will manage to pay for their heating if last year’s icy conditions are repeated.
Last winter had a clear impact on public awareness about energy usage in the home – with one in three now claiming to be more aware. However there is still a disconnect between fears and action. More people (16 per cent) have thought about buying Christmas presents in the last three months than have thought about fitting home insulation (8 per cent). This is despite the fact that insulation is one of the most effective means of reducing household energy bills and if people are over 70 or receiving benefits it can be done for free through their energy supplier.
Home Heat Helpline spokesperson, Christine McGourty says, “In Britain we spend our winters dreaming about summer sun yet this year, a huge number of people are worrying about winter weather when they could be soaking up the sun.
“The biggest surprise is that even though so many people are concerned about their energy bills, only a small handful are taking action. That’s why we’re urging people to prepare for the winter by insulating their homes now. We’re urging people to call the Home Heat Helpline today on 0800 33 66 99, leaving them free to enjoy the sunshine while it lasts.”
Home Heat Helpline’s research coincides with new findings from Energy UK revealing that 96 per cent of adults do in fact recognise loft insulation can lead to lower energy bills(1). Energy Savings Trust figures show that a typical home can save up to £265 a year on energy bills by installing loft and cavity wall insulation. However, while the Home Heat Helpline research shows that just 1% of adults think January is the best time to get their loft insulated, call demand for the Home Heat Helpline is 18 times higher in winter than it is in Summer – suggesting many households may end up failing to capitalise on the energy savings available to them.
According to home energy efficiency expert Julian Troake from Warm Zones, there are a number of factors explaining why people don’t always take advantage of the cost savings available to them:
“Many people are aware of the benefits of energy efficiency, but they don’t realise how easy it is to take action. Too many people think installing insulation is expensive, messy and disruptive. The reality is that millions of people could get their homes insulated without having to pay a penny – particularly if you’re a pensioner or are receiving benefits. Insulation can be installed easily without turning your house upside down, and if you apply now your home will be well insulated before the cold weather starts.”
The Home Heat Helpline is a free service that advises households on how they can keep warm and save money on their energy bills by making their homes more efficient.
Mrs Headley from Manchester, who suffered the freezing weather last winter, got in touch with the Home Heat Helpline in May: “The cold weather affects me badly because I have a disability and I’m not able to move about easily. I had heard that I could get some help but I didn’t realise how easy it would be. I thought I would have to fill in loads of paperwork, but I was put straight through to a specialist at my energy company and within a few weeks I had both my cavity wall and my loft insulated.”
Older people, families with young children and those with disabilities may be eligible for assistance and grants, and the Home Heat Helpline urges them to find out more by calling 0800 33 66 99.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For more information please contact Daisy Swan or Tom Kirkham at Blue Rubicon on 0207 260 2700 or email HHH@bluerubicon.com
Key findings from the Home Heat Helpline/YouGov Heating survey July 2010 include:
- 32 per cent of people said they had been thinking about their energy usage in their homes recently (July 2010)
- 35 per cent of people are more aware of their energy usage as a result of the deep freeze last winter
- 44 per cent are concerned about the cost of their energy bills next winter
- 53 per cent of retired adults are concerned about the cost of their energy bills next winter
- 31 per cent of people are worried about how cold this winter will be
- 16 per cent have thought of purchasing Christmas presents in the last three months
- 4 per cent have been thinking about purchasing loft insulation in the last three months
- 2 per cent have been thinking about purchasing cavity wall insulation in the last three months
- 2 per cent have been thinking about purchasing window/door insulation in the last three months
The Home Heat Helpline (0800 33 66 99) is a free, not for profit phone line set up by Britain’s energy companies to help customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm. Customers can also access the service online by visiting www.homeheathelpline.org.uk
The Helpline is managed by the Energy Retail Association and paid for by contributions from Britain’s major energy suppliers. The service is backed by a range of support organisations including Age UK; Citizens Advice; National Energy Action; Energy Saving Trust; Counsel and Care and Gingerbread.
The Helpline’s trained advisers can provide eligible customers with access to one or more of the following services:
- Free home insulation grants
- Reduced or ‘social’ tariffs
- The Priority Service Register which provides extra services for people who are elderly or disabled including bills in large text or Braille, security passwords and an annual gas safety check
- Flexible payment options for customers in fuel debt
Benefits entitlement checks
The Energy Retail Association set up the Disconnection Safety Net in 2004 to make sure that no vulnerable customer in Britain is knowingly disconnected from their electricity or gas supply at any time of year.
(1) Energy UK Omnibus Questions, July 2010
Populus interviewed 2014 adults, aged 18+, online between 2nd July and 4th July 2010. Results have been weighted to be representative of Great Britain as a whole.
Contact the media team
For press enquiries:
Abi Gibson, Senior Press Officer 020 7104 4162 abigail.gibson@energy-uk.org.uk
For campaign enquiries:
Louis Blake, Campaign Officer
020 7104 4166 louis.blake@energy-uk.org.uk
