Energy Efficiency

With fuel bills soaring, having a well heated and insulated home has become an expensive undertaking.  What is taken for granted by many as a necessity becomes an unaffordable luxury to some.  Ill health and other effects from having a cold home can be considerable, especially to the elderly, frail and those on low incomes.  Children can suffer too, with colds and related problems and being unable to concentrate on homework or through missing school.  Having to decide between heat and other living expenses makes for uncomfortable choices. can get cavity wall insulation for around £100 (depending on your house size and fuel type), or loft insulation for about £150. With both, you can save up to £450 on a typical years fuel bills... so your investment pays for itself very quickly!

However, there are many schemes around to provide low cost (or FREE) insulation for lofts, cavity walls, hot water tanks and pipes, and draught proofing for doors and windows.  Some schemes even provide for new or replacement boilers and towards central heating systems.  It doesn't matter if you own or rent the home or are a landlord, our advice is free and confidential.  You

Our aim is to raise energy awareness and improve the insulation of your home so that you are warm and comfortable, especially during the colder months. Day after day you could be wasting money because your home is not energy efficient. The majority of heat loss is through your walls and your roof, and insulating them will reduce your heat loss and fuel bills. Wasting energy contributes to global warming ... so come on and let's all Do Our Bit!

The best local experts on energy efficiency advice are based near Stratford on Avon , and you can telephone them free on 0800 988 2881 or visit their website at http://www.actonenergy.org.uk/

And you can get discounted or free insulation and heating systems or repairs via Warm Front on 0800 316 2805 or via the web at http://www.warmfront.co.uk/ .  We can sometimes top-up Warm Front grants if they don't meet the full costs of the necessary works - call us on 01827 715341 to ask.

And, as you're already online, why not try ...
the Department for Communities and Local Government (use the links to other external sites like DEFRA, DTI, EAGA, EST and Greenstreet).

If you cannot manage your fuel bills, try the debt advisers at the local Citizens Advice Bureau, get a Benefits check from the Council (01827 715341), or try switching fuel suppliers at U-switch http://www.uswitch.com/

And if you can afford your bills, but want to do something positive for the planet and future generations by reducing harmful climate change, try;

1. buying your energy from an ethical and sustainable supplier
2. improving your home insulation, heating and travel habits anyway,
3. consider investing in a renewable energy technology, such as solar hot water, Ground or Air source heat pump, solar photo-voltaic etc. as well as increasing your recycling, home composting, using less and growing some of your own food.  Try the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (for grants) call them on call 0800 915 0990 or email info@lowcarbonbuildings.org.uk.