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About Magazine Issue 22 - Winter 2003
Heat for Every Home
Hastings & St Leonards Affordable Warmth Policy
A third of the town's residents are unable to heat their homes properly because of low income, poor housing and high fuel bills. This is known as fuel poverty and results in cold, damp homes and ill health.
Everyone should have a decent, affordable, energy efficient home that can be kept warm during the winter months. An Energy Efficiency Team has been set up to help achieve this. They will help people stay warm in their home, save money on their fuel bills and in the process help to protect the environment.
Winter is here so please read on to find out what you can do to make your home more energy efficient and save money on fuel bills.
Grants and Discount Schemes
Warm Front
This is the government's main programme for improving the energy efficiency of private properties. The scheme provides insulation and heating improvements, including full heating systems where the household contains a child under 16 or a person over 60. You can get this if you have receipt of a qualifying income or disability related benefit.
Heat and Sun
Under the East Sussex Heat and Sun Project, which is funded by London Electricity, grants of up to £275 per home are available regardless of income, for cavity wall and loft insulation. There are also grants of £250 towards the cost of installing solar water heating.
Local Authority Financial Assistance
There are three types of financial assistance available to residents to improve the energy efficiency of their home:
- Renovation Grant - this is means tested and only available to owner occupiers.
- Minor Repairs Assistance - is available to any owner-occupier or tenant who is over 18 and in receipt of an income related benefit.
- Affordable Warmth Assistance is for owner-occupiers who are over 60, do not qualify for any income related benefits and have less than £3,000 in savings.
- Clear Skies - gives homeowners and communities a chance to become more familiar with renewable energy by providing grants and advice. Homeowners can obtain grants of up to £5000.
Tips for a warmer winter - No cost tips
- If you have central heating, turn the thermostat down by just 1 degree - this can save up to 10% on your fuel bill.
- Keep your curtains closed in rooms not used during the day, to keep the heat in.
- Defrosting your fridge regularly will lower running costs. Don't leave the fridge door open for longer than is necessary.
- Try to keep your freezer as full as possible. This stops ice from building up.
- If you have a washing machine, save energy and water by using it for full loads only.
- When making a hot drink, only boil the water you need, or keep a thermos of hot water.
- Use your plug - letting hot water run down the drain is expensive.
- Don't leave your television on standby.
Low cost tips
- Insulate your loft to a depth of at least 250mm. You could save as much as £70 a year.
- Fit a hot water tank jacket of at least 80mm. This could save you £10 a year.
- Lag hot water pipes - saving another £10 a year.
- Replace your three most used light bulbs with low energy ones. This could save you £45 a year.
- Draught proof windows and doors - potential saving of £20 a year
- Fit a hot water cylinder thermostat (normal setting: 60 deg C) - £15 a year saving.
- Put a thick lining on curtains and tuck them behind radiators - £20 a year saving.
- Get any dripping taps repaired - £5 a year saving.
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This page last updated: 19/12/2003
