The Warmer Worcestershire Network are offering advice on

Saving energy and money this winter

The Department of Health offer further advice on keeping warm and keeping  well. (840KB)

Although gas and electricity prices have risen sharply in recent months, there are many things you can do to help reduce your bills. Here is Warmer Worcestershire's top three energy and money saving tips for this winter:

• Switch off lights and electrical appliances when you are not using them.

• Draught proofing and insulation are among the most cost effective ways to retain heat in your home and reduce your heating bills. All home owners are eligible for subsidized loft and cavity wall insulation and prices can start from just £75 to insulate the cavity walls of a typical two bed-roomed semi detached house (price subject to survey by approved contractor).

• If you are over 70 or in receipt of certain benefits, loft and cavity wall insulation are likely to be free of charge. Private tenants should discuss the level of insulation with their landlord. A well-insulated house is less likely to have damp and mould problems and is easier to maintain. Council or housing association tenants owned properties should also make sure that insulation is up to current standards (that means 270mm or over 10 inches of loft insulation).

 Check.  Have you.....

• made sure your loft and cavity walls are insulated?
• installed draught proofing to seal the gaps around doors and windows?
• switched off appliances and lights when you do not need them to save energy?
• read your gas and electricty meters and given the reading to your energy supplier?
• checked your gas and electricty tariffs to see if your could be paying less?

Fixing those faults

Regular home maintenance is essential to make sure your home is safe, comfortable and energy efficient this winter.

• Servicing your boiler. All central heating boilers should be serviced regularly by a qualified engineer and
• Chimneys should be swept before the onset of winter to reduce the risk of chimney fires. Visit www.hwfire.org.uk
• Gaps and cracks allow warm air to escape and will increase heating bills. To prevent this, make sure any cracks are sealed and poorly fitting windows and doors are replaced.
• Replacing the seals on leaking taps will stop hot water being wasted and insulating pipes will reduce heat loss and also minimize the risk of burst pipes.

Check.  Have you.....

got your boiler serviced by a qualified central heating engineer?

had your chimneys swept to reduce the risk of chimney fires?

tested the batteries in your smoke alarm?

Hold on to your heat and keep warm and well this winter

Making sure you and your family are warm this winter can have added benefits for health.

• Keep your living rooms around 21 degrees Celsius (70 F) and bedrooms around 18 degrees Celsius (65 F).  Low temperatures increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes and aggravate many respiratory and rheumatic health conditions. People with mobility problems also tend to feel the cold more as they are often less active and find it harder to generate their own heat.  
• Wear several light layers of warm clothes (rather than one chunky layer). 
• Keep as active as possible.
• Keep curtains drawn and doors closed to block out draughts in severely cold periods.
• Wrap up warm if you need to go outside on cold days and wear well fitting shoes with good grips on the soles .
• Avoid falling by removing clutter and loose carpets and trailing wires, your risk of a fall increasing if you are cold.
• Have regular hot drinks and at least one hot meal a day if possible. Eating regularly helps keep energy levels up during winter. 
• Protect yourself from infections by having your flu jab - call your GP to arrange this.
• Look out for neighbours and relatives who may be more vulnerable to the cold. People with breathing and heart conditions are at more risk.
• If you use an electric blanket, make sure you get it tested every three years for safety. Contact Age UK or your local fire and rescue service for more information.

Check. Have you......

• got your flu vaccine from your local doctor surgery?
• made sure you have enough medication in case there is a cold snap?
• had at least one hot meal today?
• had your electric blanket tested for safety?

For further information about health visit  www.worcestershire.nhs.uk/public-health

For more information and energy and to get a free  thermo card room thermometer showing the ideal temperatures call the Act on Energy free helpline – 0800 988 2881

The Warmer Worcestershire logo is protected by the Copyright, Design & Patents Act 1988.  You are free to use it for your own personal, non commercial purposes.  Any other re-use, for example commercial publication, would require the specific consent of Wychavon District Council as copyright holder.  You must ensure that you gain consent before reproducing our logo for which you maybe charged a small fee.  Reproducing without consent is an offence and Wychavon District Council will take formal action against any person/organisation found to be using the Warmer Worcestershire logo without their consent.