Are you at risk?

Are unable to afford to heat your home to the level required for health and comfort?  Do you spend more than 10% of your household income on heating the house to comfort levels, which the World Health Organisation has suggested should be around 21 degrees celsius in the main living room and 18 degrees celsius in other occupied rooms? If so then you are at risk of being in fuel poverty.

Fuel poverty can be caused by a number of factors including:

• Low income
• Houses with poor energy efficiency
• Under occupancy
• Fuel prices.

Who is most at risk?

• Families with young children
• Older people
• Long term sick/disabled
• Long term unemployed.

What are the effects of fuel poverty?

Cold homes are linked to high rates of winter deaths, especially amongst older people.  Heart attacks and strokes are also exacerbated by the cold.  Cold damp homes are more likely to promote mould and fungi growth and to be linked to conditions such as asthma and bronchitis.  Domestic accidents also tend to be more common in cold homes.

In addition cold houses can lead to social exclusion as householders may be unlikely to invite friends home, resulting in an overall decline in quality of life.  In some cases householders face a choice between heating their homes adequately or spending their money on other needs, such as a healthy diet.  Cold homes can even affect childrens academic records as those in cold homes often don't have any space which is warm and quiet to study in.

Signs to look for in your home

The house is generally:

• Cold 
• Smells of damp
• There are signs of damp such as - pools on window sills and mouldy patches around windows, outer walls and ceilings
• Draughty
• Inadequate heating for the size of room - a small 1 bar electric heater for a large room
• You live in one room so only heat that room
• You wear lots of clothes indoors to keep warm.

There is assistance available

There are grants and discounted schemes available.  Eligibility is often dependent on being in receipt of income or disability related benefits.  Don't be in the dark about benefits which could improve your standard of living - have a benefits check done today.  Call the Citizens' Advice Bureau on 01629 583589  to see if you could be entitled to any help.  For further information on grants and discounted schemes please click on Warmfront or the Discounted Schemes links to find out more.

This information is available to download here.