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Media

FREEZING WEATHER TO GRIP THE NORTH AND SCOTLAND 26 February 2010

Residents urged to get free help with heating their homes

As cold weather looks set to return, the Home Heat Helpline is urging households in the North and Scotland to call its free phone number (0800 33 66 99) for help with staying warm during the latest cold snap.

The Home Heat Helpline is on standby to help those worried about the cost of heating their home. The free service can also offer advice on whether householders are eligible for reduced or ‘social’ tariffs or free insulation and also provides free advice on saving money by making homes more energy efficient.

The Glasgow based helpline has received a record number of calls this winter from householders looking for advice.

Christine McGourty, spokesperson for the Home Heat Helpline said: “Keeping warm during the freezing weather is especially important for older people, families with young children and those with health conditions. 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.”

Christine added that households 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. The Home Heat Helpline suggests the following tips for residents 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 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.

ENDS