Save energy, pay less

Transcription

1 Save energy, pay less Improving energy efficiency Money matters AgeUKIG30

2 We are Age UK. Our network includes Age Cymru, Age NI, Age Scotland, Age International and more than 160 local partners. This information guide has been prepared by Age UK and contains general advice only, which we hope will be of use to you. Nothing in this guide should be construed as the giving of specific advice and it should not be relied on as a basis for any decision or action. Neither Age UK nor any of its subsidiary companies or charities accepts any liability arising from its use. We aim to ensure that the information is as up to date and accurate as possible, but please be warned that certain areas are subject to change from time to time. Please note that the inclusion of named agencies, websites, companies, products, services or publications in this information guide does not constitute a recommendation or endorsement by Age UK or any of its subsidiary companies or charities. Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained in this guide is correct. However, things do change, so it is always a good idea to seek expert advice on your personal situation. Date of publication: September 2013 Age UK 2013

3 Contents Introduction 2 Why save energy? 3 Keeping heat in your home 4 Help with the cost of insulation and draught-proofing 9 Hot water and central heating 10 Lighting 12 Electrical appliances 13 In the kitchen 14 Washing and laundry 15 Increasing your income 16 Choosing an energy supplier 20 Priority Services Register 22 Problems with energy bills 23 Useful organisations 25 1 Save energy, pay less

4 Introduction With fuel costs rising, there s no doubt that using less energy can save us money. That doesn t mean we should use less than we need it s vital that we have enough light and warmth. But there are lots of ways that we can use energy more efficiently without losing any of our creature comforts and save money at the same time. This guide explains how you can reduce the amount of energy that you use in your home. It describes simple things you can do and changes to habits that can result in significant energy savings, even in winter. Of course, you may already be doing some of these things, but we hope you ll find new ideas, too. If you re having difficulty meeting your energy bills, you may be able to claim benefits to increase your income. A brief overview of benefits available for people in later life is on pages Throughout this guide you will find suggestions for organisations that can offer further information and advice about your options. Their contact details can be found in the Useful organisations section (see pages 25 30). Contact details for organisations near you can usually be found in your local phone book. If you have difficulty finding them, your local Age UK should be able to help (see page 25). As far as possible, the information given in this guide is applicable across the UK. Key what next? This symbol indicates where information differs for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. This symbol indicates who to contact for the next steps you need to take. 2 Save energy, pay less

5 Why save energy? Using less energy means you ll not only be doing your bit for the environment, you ll also have lower bills. Try working out how much you spend on energy at the moment. By following the suggestions in this guide, you should be able to reduce the amount of energy that you use, while still meeting your needs. The exact amount you save may vary depending on the size and age of your home and how you use energy, but here are some examples as a guide. per year. They have an energy label rating of A+ or A++. The savings listed above and throughout this guide are based on information provided by the Energy Saving Trust (see page 28). There are also many other appliances and products that carry the Energy Saving Trust-recommended logo. Contact the Energy Saving Trust for a list. But you don t have to make big changes taking simple steps to save energy can also cut your bills. This guide includes free and easy ways to save energy. 3 Save energy, pay less

6 Keeping heat in your home Depending on the age and type of your home, a lot of heat could be lost through your walls and roof, which means you ll use more energy to maintain a comfortable temperature. The following pages look at ways to reduce heat loss. Some will require professional help and may involve a significant initial cost, so we ll also tell you about possible sources of financial assistance. Others are more straightforward and you can do them yourself. Insulation Insulation is an extra layer added to your home to make it harder for heat to escape. Up to a quarter of the heat lost from homes is lost through the roof. The recommended depth of mineral wool insulation is 270mm but there are other materials that you can use. Insulating your loft could Hot-water tanks are another source of heat loss. Fitting a 75mm-thick, hot-water cylinder jacket can be If your house was built with cavity walls that is, with a space between the inner and outer layers this gap can also insulated but this is usually more expensive. There may be financial assistance available to help with these costs. Contact the Energy Saving Trust for information about steps you can take to insulate your home, the savings you may be able to make and any financial assistance available (see page 28). In Northern Ireland, contact the Warm Homes Scheme. In Scotland, contact Home Energy Scotland (see page 28). 4 Save energy, pay less

7 Draught-proofing your home A draughty house can be uncomfortable and you will use extra energy to keep rooms warm. Common draughty areas are door frames, window frames, wooden floors, skirting boards, roofs and chimneys. However, you can greatly reduce draughts and improve your comfort by: around doors It s important to leave some ventilation to reduce condensation and to prevent the build-up of waste gases from fuel-burning appliances. Your local Gas Safe-registered engineer should be able to help you with this (see page 30). Install a carbon monoxide detector in case air vents become blocked. Depending on the age and type of your home, a lot of heat could be lost through your walls and roof. 5 Save energy, pay less

8 Glazing Double glazing reduces heat loss through windows, saving Permanent double glazing can be expensive and isn t covered by the grants mentioned on page 9 (except in Scotland, where help may be available from your local authority), but you could partly double glaze your home, focusing on the rooms that you use and heat the most. Alternatively, secondary glazing, a second layer of glass fitted behind your existing windows, can help to reduce heat loss and costs less than full double glazing. Your local Home Improvement Agency or Home Energy Scotland may be able to advise you on double glazing and offer a handyperson service to make small improvements such as draught-proofing you can find your nearest one by contacting a national body such as Foundations, Fold, Care and Repair or Care and Repair Scotland (see page 29). See our free factsheet for more information. In Scotland, ask Age Scotland for their factsheet. 6 Save energy, pay less

9 Practical steps to reduce heat loss As well as the measures we ve already suggested, you could try the following steps, which are free and don t require DIY skills. heat loss through windows. living room (or the room that you use the most) warm throughout the day and heat your bedroom before you go to bed. don t put a large sofa in front of one. what next? Ask for our free guide Winter wrapped up for more information on keeping warm. Contact the Energy Saving Trust or Home Energy Scotland for more ideas on ways to reduce heat loss (see page 28). 7 Save energy, pay less

10 My partner really feels the cold as he spends a lot of time sitting in his chair. Since we got cavity-wall insulation, the amount we have to spend to keep the house comfortable in winter has really gone down.

11 Help with the cost of insulation and draught-proofing Green Deal is a new scheme that lets you take out a loan to make energy-efficiency improvements to your home. You then repay it through the savings on your electricity bill. It s important to check exactly how the scheme works before signing up to it, and carefully consider what it involves before taking it on. For more information call the Energy Saving Advice Service (see page 28) or in Scotland call Energy Saving Scotland (see page 28). You can also find out more from the Money Advice Service website. Put Green Deal into the search box at You could be eligible for financial help from the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme if you re on a low income or receive certain means-tested benefits such as Pension Credit, or if you live in a home that would be costly and difficult to make more energy efficient. To find out whether you re eligible, contact the Energy Saving Advice Service (see page 28). In Scotland, to find out about this and a similar Home Energy Efficiency Programmes scheme, call Home Energy Scotland (see page 28). In Wales, in addition to the ECO scheme, there is a Welsh Government scheme called Nest (see page 30). You may be eligible for home improvements if you meet certain criteria. what next? Ask for our free information guide Winter wrapped up and our free factsheet Help with heating costs for tips on cutting down your energy bills and information about what financial assistance may be available. In Wales, ask Age Cymru for their factsheet Help with heating costs in Wales and in Scotland, ask Age Scotland for their factsheet Help with heating. Your energy supplier may also be able to help, so it s worth contacting them for information, too. 9 Save energy, pay less

12 Hot water and central heating Here are a few ways to make sure that your hot water and central heating systems are working effectively for you: on your boiler system. By setting the controls accurately you can make sure that you only have hot water and heat when you need them, and aren t generating high energy bills when you don t need to. that being warm enough is important for your health. In winter, the recommended room temperature during the day is around 70 F (21 C) for your main living room and at least 64 F (18 C) for the other rooms you use. If you are still cold, putting on extra layers of clothing can be an alternative to setting the heating at a higher temperature. In cold weather, setting your heating to come on earlier is usually better than turning up the temperature. water, make sure that you re using the cheapest tariff possible and that you understand how the settings work. Watch the weather forecast and aim to do your washing on sunny days when you can save money by hanging it out to dry. is fine for most people s needs. equivalent of half a bath in one week. 10 Save energy, pay less

13 shower can use a third of the amount of water needed for a bath. running safely and efficiently. Make sure that the person you ask to service it is qualified and registered with the Gas Safe Register (contact details are on page 30). If you have a landlord, this is their responsibility. (see page 22), you may be eligible for a free annual safety check. However, this only looks at the safety of your appliances and is not a substitute for an annual service. If you are a tenant, your landlord is legally required to arrange for the gas appliances they provide to be safety checked once a year. as a newer boiler will be more energy efficient. your area. These let you join others to negotiate a better price with oil suppliers, saving you up to 10% a year. Find your nearest one in England on the Citizens Advice website at 11 Save energy, pay less

14 Lighting Inefficient light bulbs have been phased out, so you can only buy low-energy bulbs. While these are more expensive than ordinary bulbs were, they use up to 80 per cent less electricity, saving you money on your energy bills. They give out the same amount of light and last around ten times longer. Get into the habit of turning lights off when you leave a room but not at the expense of your safety. Keep stairs and other areas well lit to reduce the risk of falling. Most energy suppliers and DIY stores offer night lights that can help you to see without using the main lights at night. The Thomas Pocklington Trust produces a free guide called. Download it from their website at or call them on for a copy on audio CD or in Braille. what next? See our free leaflet Home safety checker, a question-andanswer guide to making your home safer. 12 Save energy, pay less

15 Electrical appliances Switch off appliances rather than leaving them on standby when you re not using them. If you have an off-peak energy tariff, save money by running appliances such as your washing machine during off-peak periods, when possible. When it s time to replace appliances, look for products with the Energy Saving-recommended logo because they have met Energy Saving Trust criteria for energy efficiency and will cost less to run. If you re buying a new television, think about the size of screen you choose. In general, the smaller your television, the less it will cost to run. Don t leave your phone on to charge overnight. Most phones charge in around two hours. And unplug chargers when they re not in use many still use electricity when they re plugged in, even if they re not connected to anything. what next? Visit the Energy Saving Trust website (in Scotland, visit Home Energy Scotland) to find out more and to search for Energy Saving-recommended products (see page 28). 13 Save energy, pay less

16 In the kitchen The following small changes can reduce the amount of energy you use in the kitchen. Some kettles have cup measures marked, or you can mark this on with a permanent marker. Keep lids on pans as much as possible to reduce heat loss. wall as it will let the coils work more effectively. Clean dust off the coils regularly dust can increase the fridge s energy consumption. energy to cool it down. It can also lead to uneven cooling, which can cause food poisoning. cooking time, typically by half. what next? For more ideas on how to reduce the amount of energy you use in the kitchen, contact the Energy Saving Trust (see page 28). 14 Save energy, pay less

17 Washing and laundry There are also simple and effective ways to save money when you are washing up and washing clothes. under running water. machine or use the half-load setting. occasional hot wash though, to get rid of bacteria and odours in the machine. washing machine almost dry, reducing the time you need to dry them for. this saves energy and money. water bills, especially now that average water bills have risen for most people. Ask your water company for more information. what next? If you live in England or Wales, use the Consumer Council for Water s online calculator to estimate whether you can cut down your water bill by switching to a meter (see page 27). See our free factsheet Water advice for more information about saving money on water bills. 15 Save energy, pay less

18 Increasing your income Many older people don t claim all the benefits they re entitled to. Make sure that you do benefit rules aren t needlessly generous, so if you qualify for help, you should take up your entitlement. There is a whole range of benefits to help people in different circumstances, so we can only give brief details and examples here. Some benefits are means-tested whether you qualify for them depends on your income and savings. These include Pension Credit, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Support. If you live in Northern Ireland, you may be able to claim Rate Relief and Lone Pensioner Allowance to help you pay rates. Other benefits are paid regardless of your income and savings, but may be affected by other factors. For example, Attendance Allowance (for people aged 65 and over) and Disability Living Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (for people under 65) are for people with disability and care needs. Most people born before 6 January 1952 should receive a Winter Fuel Payment for the winter. Previous recipients should get the payment automatically, but if this is the first year that you re eligible, contact the Winter Fuel Payments helpline to ensure that you don t miss out (see page 30). If you receive Pension Credit or certain other benefits, you will automatically receive a Cold Weather Payment when the temperature is at freezing or below for seven days in a row. 16 Save energy, pay less

19 You may be entitled to a discount on your electricity bill called the Warm Home Discount if you receive Pension Credit. Check with your energy supplier or ask a local advice agency like Age UK. You can find out more on the Gov.uk website at Contact your local Age UK to arrange a benefits check (see page 25) or visit our website to use the online benefits calculator at Benefit rates and rules change every year, so it is worth checking your entitlement every now and again, especially if you have a change in circumstances. what next? Ask for a copy of our free information guides More money in your pocket: a guide to claiming benefits for people over pension age and Claiming benefits: a guide for people of working age. Also see our free factsheets Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, and Help with heating costs. In Wales, ask Age Cymru for their version of More money in your pocket and their free factsheet Help with heating costs in Wales. 17 Save energy, pay less

20 My story I ve been using my washing machine at a lower temperature and trying to get into the habit of turning the TV and DVD player off, rather than leaving them on standby. Eunice, 74, lives by herself in a two-bedroom house. I hadn t really thought much about energy efficiency until recently. Since my husband died I ve lived in our house by myself and I don t want to have to move. The cost of running the house is more of a stretch on one income though. In particular, I noticed that my gas and electricity bills were going up quite a bit. My granddaughter suggested that I contact the Energy Saving Trust. It suggested lots of ways that I could cut down on the energy I use. Some of them I already knew about, but others were new to me. I ve been using my washing machine at a lower temperature and trying to get into the habit of turning the TV and DVD player off, rather than leaving them on standby. It turned out that I was eligible for a loan towards the cost of improving my loft insulation as well, which will make a big difference over the next few years. I ve also gone on to my energy supplier s Priority Services Register. My eyes aren t as good as they used to be and I appreciate someone coming to read my meter more regularly. I don t want to pay any more than I have to.

21

22 Choosing an energy supplier You may be able to save on your energy costs by switching supplier. This doesn t require any physical change to the pipes and cables that you receive your energy through, but your billing and payments will be with a different company. There are lots of energy companies and tariffs to choose from. From December 2013, it will be easier to compare prices as energy tariffs will be simplified. Each energy company will have four core electricity and gas tariffs. When looking at prices, check whether there are any special offers or discounts. If so, how long will these run for? Are there any extra or hidden charges? Are the payment schedule and method right for you? Having a pre-payment meter is one way of spreading your payments, but is usually more expensive than other payment options and inconvenient if you cannot easily get out to recharge your payment card. Dual fuel where you get gas and electricity from the same supplier isn t always the cheaper option. Compare dual fuel deals with separate gas and electricity deals. Don t sign up to a new agreement until you are sure that it s right for you. 20 Save energy, pay less

23 Don t sign up to a new agreement until you are sure that it s right for you. See our free factsheet to find out more. Visit the Consumer Futures website for further information about choosing an energy supplier and for links to price comparison companies (see page 27). You may want to look into Age UK Energy. The Age UK Group has an association with E.ON which offers an Age UK energy tariff. For more information, call E.ON on * You may not have to switch suppliers to save money switching to direct debit to pay your bill will often save you money. what next? For more information, see our free factsheet Help with heating costs. In Wales, ask Age Cymru for their free factsheet Help with heating costs in Wales. * Age UK Energy is a trading name of Age UK Enterprises Limited (the commercial services arm of Age UK, which donates net profits to that charity. Registered in England and Wales number ). Address: Tavis House, 1 6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. E.ON Energy Solutions Limited, registered office: Westwood Business Park, Westwood Way, Coventry CV4 8LG (registered in England and Wales number ). 21 Save energy, pay less

24 Priority Services Register All energy suppliers must have a Priority Services Register for people who are of pensionable age, have a disability, hearing and/or sight loss, or a long-term illness. Being on the register qualifies you for a range of free services and support, which may include: and alternative facilities for cooking and heating and electricity appliances and meters more easily There are additional eligibility criteria for some of them. Contact your energy supplier to find out what additional services they may provide and how to register. 22 Save energy, pay less

25 Problems with energy bills If you are having difficulty paying your energy bills, tell your energy supplier as soon as you can. It will be able to let you know how you can avoid getting into debt. If you are already in debt, your energy company will be able to advise you on how to pay back money that you owe. Energy companies won t cut off your supply if you agree a payment plan with them and stick to it. You may be able to set up a repayment plan to pay your arrears, or have a pre-payment meter installed. Some energy companies have their own grants and trusts contact yours to find out what they provide. For example, the British Gas Energy Trust offers help to anyone struggling with gas or electricity debts. Call them on or visit to find out more. NPower has set up a Health Through Warmth scheme which helps certain people with long-term cold-related illnesses to heat and insulate their homes. Call or visit to find out more. You can apply to both no matter which energy company you re with. Charis Grants can also signpost you to help with utility debts (see page 26). Contact the Home Heat Helpline (see page 30) (in Scotland, contact Home Energy Scotland see page 28) for more advice if you re worried about paying your energy bills. And visit your local Age UK for a free benefits check to see if there s more money you could be claiming, or use our online benefits calculator at 23 Save energy, pay less

26 All energy companies are required to follow a code of conduct. This states that households where all the members are of pensionable age should not have their energy supply cut off between 1 October and 31 March. If you are having problems paying your bills, don t wait until disconnection becomes a possibility before seeking help. This only applies to gas and electricity companies. If you have a problem with your energy supplier, try to resolve it by complaining directly. Details of how to contact your energy supplier should be on the back of your gas or electricity bill. If your complaint does not resolve the problem, you can take your complaint to the Energy Ombudsman (see page 28). In Northern Ireland, contact the Consumer Council (see page 27). what next? If you live in England, Wales or Scotland, contact Citizens Advice Consumer Service (see page 26) for advice on making a complaint to your energy supplier. If you want face-to-face advice, contact a local advice agency such as your local Age UK (see page 25). In Northern Ireland, contact the Consumer Council, which may be able to help you (see page 27). To find out more about water bills, see our free factsheet Water advice. If you re having problems with debt, see our free factsheet Debt advice. 24 Save energy, pay less

27 Useful organisations Age UK We provide advice and information for people in later life through our Age UK Advice line publications and online. Age UK Advice: Lines are open seven days a week from 8am to 7pm. Call Age UK Advice to find out whether there is a local Age UK near you, and to order free copies of our information guides and factsheets. In Wales, contact Age Cymru: In Northern Ireland, contact Age NI: In Scotland, contact Age Scotland: Save energy, pay less

28 Charis Grants Directs people to grants to clear utility debts owed to certain energy providers. Tel: Citizens Advice National network of free advice centres offering free, confidential and independent advice, face-to-face or by telephone. Tel: for details of your local Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). In Wales there is a national phone advice service on It is available in some parts of England on To find details of your nearest CAB in: England or Wales, go to Northern Ireland, go to Scotland, go to Visit for online information Citizens Advice Consumer Service Consumer advice and complaints service. Tel: ( for a Welsh-speaking adviser) 26 Save energy, pay less

29 Consumer Council Represents consumers in Northern Ireland in areas of transport, water and energy and handles complaints in these areas. 116 Holywood Road Belfast BT4 1NY Tel: Consumer Council for Water Independent voice for customers of water and sewerage companies in England and Wales. 1st floor, Victoria Square House Victoria Square Birmingham B2 4AJ Tel: Textphone: Consumer Futures Consumer champion that gives consumers advice on energy debt. Fleetbank House Salisbury Square London EC4Y 8JX Tel: Note: Consumer Focus cannot discuss individual complaints with members of the public. If you need advice, call the Citizens Advice Consumer Service (see page 26). 27 Save energy, pay less

30 Energy Ombudsman Independent organisation that you can contact if a problem cannot be resolved with an energy company. Ombudsman Services: Energy PO Box 966 Warrington WA4 9DF Tel: Textphone: Energy Saving Trust National organisation providing free, independent information and advice on how to improve energy efficiency. Tel: Energy Saving Advice Service Provides advice on energy savings, energy efficiency, and financial help including Green Deal and the Energy Company Obligation scheme. Tel: In Northern Ireland, contact Warm Homes Scheme Tel: In Scotland, contact Home Energy Scotland Tel: Save energy, pay less

31 Foundations National body for Home Improvement Agencies, with a website where you can find your nearest Home Improvement Agency in England. Bleaklow House Howard Town Mill Glossop SK13 8HT Tel: info@foundations.uk.com In Northern Ireland, contact Fold 3 7 Redburn Square Holywood BT18 9HZ Tel: In Scotland, contact Care and Repair Scotland 135 Buchanan Street Suite 2.5 Glasgow G1 2JA Tel: In Wales, contact Care and Repair Cymru 2 Ocean Way Cardiff CF24 5TG Tel: enquiries@careandrepair.org.uk 29 Save energy, pay less

32 Gas Safe Register Official list of gas engineers who are registered to work on boilers, cookers, fires and other gas appliances. PO Box 6804 Basingstoke RG24 4NB Tel: Textphone: Home Heat Helpline Provides advice for people having difficulty paying their fuel bills. It offers advice on cheaper payment schemes, grants for insulating homes, as well as information on extra government benefits and how to get on to the Priority Services Register for extra services. Tel: Textphone: Nest Welsh Government scheme that aims to reduce the number of households in fuel poverty and make homes warmer and more fuel efficient. Tel: Winter Fuel Payments helpline For information and application forms to claim the Winter Fuel payment. Tel: Save energy, pay less

33 Can you help Age UK? Please complete the donation form below with a gift of whatever you can afford and return to: RSXZ-KTTS-KSHT, Age UK, Tavis House, 1 6 Tavistock Square, LONDON WC1H 9NA. Alternatively, you can phone or visit If you prefer, you can donate directly to one of our national or local partners. Thank you. Personal details Title: Initials: Surname: Address: Postcode: Tel: By providing your address and/or mobile number you are agreeing to us contacting you in these ways. You may contact us at any time to unsubscribe from our communications. Your gift I would like to make a gift of: I enclose a cheque/postal order made payable to Age UK Card payment I wish to pay by (please tick) MasterCard Visa CAF CharityCard Maestro American Express (Maestro only) Signature X Expiry date / Issue no. (Maestro only) (please tick) Yes, I want Age UK and its partner organisations* to treat all donations I have made for the four years prior to this year, and all donations I make from the date of this declaration until I notify you otherwise, as gift aid donations. I confirm I pay an amount of income tax and/or capital gains tax at least equal to the tax that the / / charity will reclaim on my donations in the tax year. Date: (please complete). *Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Age NI We will use the information you have supplied to communicate with you according to data protection guidelines. Age UK (registered charity number ) comprises the charity, its group of companies and national partners (Age Cymru, Age Scotland and Age NI). If you would prefer not to hear from them or carefully selected third parties, let us know by phoning MXDD10FL05W030 Gift aid declaration

34

35 Money matters You may be interested in other guides in this range To order any of our free publications, please call Age UK Advice free on:

36 What should I do now? For more information on the issues covered in this guide, or to order any of our publications, please call Age UK Advice free on or visit Our publications are also available in large print and audio formats. The following Age UK information guides may be useful: The Age UK Group offers a wide range of products and services specially designed for people in later life. For more information, please call If contact details for your local Age UK are not in the box below, call Age UK Advice free on Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (registered charity number and registered company number ). The registered address is Tavis House, 1 6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. Age UK and its subsidiary companies and charities form the Age UK Group, dedicated to improving later life. ID /13