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FREEZING WEATHER TO GRIP UK 14 December 2009

FREEZING WEATHER TO GRIP UK

Experts urge residents to get free heating help

As temperatures plummet the Home Heat Helpline is urging householders to call their free phone number (0800 33 66 99) and get the help they need to beat the cold snap.

The Home Heat Helpline is on standby to help those who are worried about the cost of heating their home this winter. We are encouraging householders to find out if they are eligible for reduced or ‘social’ tariffs, free insulation and to get free advice on making their home more energy efficient.

“Keeping warm is especially important for older people, families with young children and those with disabilities. Today, we’re urging anyone on a low income and in receipt of benefits to call the Home Heat Helpline to claim the free help they are entitled to in reducing their bills,” said Christine McGourty, spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline

Christine adds that households across the country should also consider taking some simple practical steps around the house that will help them keep warm and cut their energy bills straight away. “Small changes, such as turning appliances off rather than leaving them on standby, reducing the temperature of your washing machine and turning off lights when you leave the room can make a big difference,” said Christine.

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, ambassador for the Home Heat Helpline campaign said:

“I know what it’s like to be a single mum who is struggling to pay the bills. When every penny counts you need all the help you can get. But often you don’t know who to turn to. The Home Heat Helpline provides a really friendly, helpful service for people in need. Anyone who thinks they might be missing out on the help they are entitled to should give them a call.”

The Home Heat Helpline suggests the following tips for UK households, to help them keep warm and reduce their energy bills over the cold snap:

1. Make sure your radiators and heaters are not blocked by furniture or covered by curtains, otherwise most of the heat will literally disappear out the window.
2. Keep draughts at bay using a draught-proofing kit, available from most DIY stores to block draughts around external windows and doors.
3. Replace your traditional light bulbs with energy efficient ones. These use 80% less energy, and can cost as little as 50p.
4. Appliances left on standby can use as much as three-quarters of the energy they use when they are fully switched on – so turn them completely off when not in use.
5. Mend the drips. A dripping hot water tap can waste enough hot water to fill half a bath in just one week, so fix leaking taps and make sure they’re all fully turned off.

For more information please contact Melissa Devine on 0207 104 4157 or Danielle Milne on 0207 104 4160.

Notes to Editors

• Photos of Kym Marsh are available from the Press Office.

• 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 Concern / Help the Aged; 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 a Safety Net procedure 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.