1. The ideal temperature to keep well and warm is between 18 and 21 degrees Celsius. If you have a Horstmann Economy 7 Thermostat, use these instructions to ensure that it is set to the correct level. 
2. Check your boiler water temperature is set at 55 degrees as heating to a higher temperature may simply mean you are adding cold water immediately and so wasting energy in heating it any higher than it needs to be.
3. Turn off the heating up to an hour before you go to bed – so you are not wasting energy heating the home unnecessarily.
4. Simple measures like thermal insulated curtains over doors and windows will improve the heat retention in your property especially during the night and you will feel warmer for longer.
5. Ventilating the property to reduce the condensation in the air will keep the energy bills lower – as it takes more energy to heat up moisture laden air. Dry air heats up faster and you will feel warmer faster along with saving money. Ensure your Trickle Air Vents are open at all times. When the sun is shining and it is dry outside open windows and ventilate the property. Allow the property to breathe by keeping doors open within the property to allow air to circulate – this also reduces condensation and mould spots in corners of rooms and behind furniture.
6. If you have Storage Heaters – be sure to turn off the Output Valve before bedtime and just leave the Input Valve on at about 4 or 5. This way you are not heating up the rooms during the night when you don’t need the heat and you will have more heat in the Storage Heaters remaining for the next day. Note: keep an eye on the weather forecasts – if its going to be a warm day the next day turn off the Input Valve so that you are not storing heat that you won’t need.
7. Check your bills are correct and if necessary, give up to date meter readings. The easiest way to monitor usage is to have a SMART Meter installed – contact your energy company directly.
8. Check your energy bills to ensure you are on the best tariff deal with your energy company.
9. Make sure you are claiming all the benefits you are entitled to. If you are not sure, you can check using the Turn2us Benefits Calculator. Alternatively, you can check on Benefits - GOV.UK, Benefits - Citizens Advice, or phone Citizens Advice on 0808 2787882 (Adviceline). If in any doubt you can contact Lancaster City Council on 01524 582000 who may be able to assist with advice on financial Support for Households or direct you to local support services. 
10. Finally, if you are struggling with staying warm or are worried about your energy bills you can contact Lancaster City Council on 01524 582000 and request a visit from the Energy Support Officer.

 

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for 2022/2023 is changing.

 

The Warm Home Discount Scheme has now been running for ten years. This year, the Government have responded to comments regarding the scheme and how the funding is distributed.

In previous years there was a 'lottery' effect in place and funding was successfully awarded depending on who your supplier was and when you originally applied. To improve how this process is handled, the Government has undertaken a consultation process to better support those residing in low income households and/or those suffering from fuel poverty.

If you want to read the document and the research undertaken the full details can be accessed here.

 

This means that all applicants are now placed into one of two core groups:

Core Group 1:

• You must be a customer with your present supplier from a fixed date; for some suppliers, this date has been set at 21^st August 2022.
• You must be in receipt of pension credit.
• If these both apply you will automatically be credited the £150 to your electricity account and you do not need to take any further action.

 

Core Group 2 (This will be targeted support for eligible households (Low Income / High Energy Costs):

• Customers will be contacted in writing by Mid-December to notify them of their eligibility. The letter will inform households whether they will get the Warm Home Discount automatically and what action to take if they haven’t qualified at this stage but feel they should.
• There may be families who have previously qualified but find that this year they do not meet these strict criteria.
• Further details on what do if you don’t automatically qualify but want to appeal the decision will be made available. It is likely there will be a Warm Home Discount helpline phone number provided.

 

Low Income is based on the following qualifying benefits:

• Universal credit
• Income related ESA
• Income based JSA
• Income support housing benefit
• Pension credit savings credit
• Child tax credits
• Working tax credits (tax credits must be below a household threshold adjusted according to household composition)

 

High Energy Costs Criteria

 

If you meet the Income Criteria, you now also need to meet the new High Energy Costs Criteria – this is set by the Government, and the department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). They will gather data from the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) and will be an internal process of validation with the energy companies directly.

The VOA will use the following data to determine High Energy Costs:

• Floor Area
• Property Age
• Property Type

Where data is missing BEIS will consider:

• Information on other similar properties
• Energy Performance certificates (EPC)
• Other information held by Land registry

 

Further information to be notified as more details of the Warm Home Scheme are published.

If you are concerned about your energy bills and the rise in the cost of living and are struggling or anxious about the coming winter months please contact Customer Services on 01524 582000.

 

Correct as at 7^th September 2022