January 4 2012
According to leading charity, Save The Children, 800,000 of the poorest families who get cold weather payments should also qualify for a £120 discount on fuel bills under the Warm Homes Discount scheme, but a huge funding shortfall means only 25,000 families will get it.
Resident, Nichola Fletcher, tells Radio Manchester how she fell into fuel poverty and the help she received when Irwell Valley’s Switch On event visited her area. To listen to the interview, click here.
And if you are struggling to meet your energy bills, contact Irwell Valley’s Income Management team on 0161 610 4915.
Switch On! events would like to give you some top tips for saving energy this winter, there's lots of money to be saved just by following these 10 simple steps:
1. Heating
Turn your thermostat down by 1°C. It could save you up to £55.00 per year*.
2. Draughts
Stop draughts and heat escaping through floorboards and skirting boards by filling gaps with newspaper, beading or sealant.
3. Hot Water
Your water needs to be hot but not scalding. Set the cylinder thermostat at 60°C.
4. Electricals
Don't leave electrical devices on standby or on charge unnecessarily. Turn them off to save energy.
5. Kettle
Only boil as much water as you need to avoid unnecessarily heating water you won't ever use.
6. Washing
Try to use low temperatures and programmes, do full loads rather than half loads.
7. Drying
Don't pur really wet clothes in the dryer. Do full oads rather than half loads.
8. Taps
A dripping hot water tap can waste energy and enough water to fill a bath in just one day.
9. Lights
Turn them off when you leave a room; adjust curtains and blinds to let in as much light as possible.
10. Light Bulbs
Use energy efficient light bulbs; they last up to 10 times longer than ordinary bulbs. By using these you could save over £40.00 over the lifetime of the bulb*.
*Source: Energy Saving Trust 2009
For more information on when our latest Switch On! event is or for some more energy saving advice please give Emma Burke, Financial Inclusion Officer a call on 01204 454 915. Alternatively please give Steve Parlby, Special Environmental Projects Officer a call on 0161 610 4826.