ARE you finding it hard to afford to heat your home this winter or suffering in a cold or damp home?

The Home Energy Team can help - call us on 0800 082 2234.

This winter is proving particularly difficult for people across Somerset.

The pandemic and resulting lockdowns have led to higher levels of unemployment, and there are still large numbers of people furloughed.

This latest lockdown couldn’t have come at a worse time, as the weather is much colder and to stay warm additional heating has to be used which can be very costly.

People are now spending much more of their time at home, which means that to stay comfortable and healthy, the heating is on for longer periods.

If you have pre-payment meters you may be noticing that you are having to top up more frequently, and if you pay a quarterly or monthly bill, you may notice that you use more this winter than you would do normally.

If you have had a reduction in your household income, are on a low income, or are reliant on benefits, then the decision on whether to use your heating more often is a very tough one to make.

In the most extreme circumstances it could even mean that you are choosing between using your heating to stay warm, or buying food to eat.

Whatever your circumstances, if you are finding it harder to stay warm and pay for your energy this winter, the Home Energy Team may be able to help you.

We are a free and impartial advice service based in Bristol that provides help to people across the South West.

Discounts, grants, or support may be available towards:

  • Topping up your pre-payment meter or towards the cost of your energy bills
  • Food or mobile phone costs
  • Paying for a replacement boiler if yours has broken down or is not working properly
  • Insulating the loft or walls of your house
  • Help getting onto the best energy tariff or applying for the Warm Home Discount
  • Fitting renewable energy measures like solar panels
  • Installing gas central heating for the first time.

No one should have to suffer in a cold and damp home or struggle with high energy bills. Our advice service and the Safe and Warm project we run in Somerset are here to help anyone that is in this situation.

I would encourage people to give us a call if they are finding things hard at the moment, and we will do our very best to help however we can.

The Home Energy Team can be reached from 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, on free-phone 0800 082 2234 or by emailing home.energy@cse.org.uk.

If you work in the health sector, social care sector, a local authority or other third party organisation, and would like to refer someone for help, then please visit www.cse.org.uk/advice/how-we-can-help/refer-your-client-or-patient

MARK TYLER
Centre for Sustainable Energy