Fuel Poverty - A household which is spending 10% or more of its income on heating and lighting.
What can contribute to fuel poverty?
- Very low incomes resulting in a larger proportion being spent on fuel
- High and rising energy prices
- Poor energy efficiency in the home
- Unfair payment methods such as pre-payment meters with hidden charges.
- Low level of awareness
What are the effects of fuel poverty?
Living in cold homes can damage people’s health and affect their quality of life.
The elderly, children, and those with a disability or long-term illness are
especially vulnerable. 
Last winter, over five million households in the UK struggled to heat and power their homes and many older people, disabled people and families living on low incomes had to choose between keeping warm and putting food on the table. Every year over 20,000 more people die in the winter months than in the summer months, largely due to cold-related illnesses. Many more become ill as a result of living in cold, damp homes caused by lack of heating.
Fuel poverty can also lead to social isolation and many customers end up with large debts.
What is being done about it?
The Government has published its Fuel Poverty Strategy, in this document they state that they aim to eradicate fuel poverty from vulnerable households by 2010, and from all households by 2016. You can download a copy of the strategy from the links at the top right hand side of this page.
Consumer Focus have created an 'End Fuel Poverty Campaign', you can access their website here, or join their Facebook page here.
What can you find help and advice?
Coastline has a large number of leaflets in the reception area of our offices, there are also links on the top right hand side of this page to some useful documents.
Home Heat Helpline www.homeheathelpline.org
Call now to get your bills under control 0800 33 66 99
Keep Warm Keep Well is a national campaign to reduce cold-related illness and deaths during winter. You'll find information and advice about how to stay well in winter by keeping warm and what financial support is available. Access their website here.
Turn2us
Another useful website for access to help and advice regarding fuel poverty. Click here to go to the website.
Subscribe to the free email newsletter provided by Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert. This newsletter is crammed full of useful tips and information on energy and fuel providers, who represents the best value for money, how to switch providers etc.
His website can be accessed here:- http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Money saving initiative for customers with oil central heating
With the cost of heating oil rising fast, and suppliers charging for each delivery, filling a tank of oil is now becoming increasingly difficult for low income families.
Across the country, groups of residents including our very own residents at Gweal Darras, Mabe, are clubbing together to arrange for 'group' deliveries of heating oil.
By grouping together and arranging a single large delivery to an estate rather than 15 seperate deliveries for example, helps bring the costs down for everyone due to the lower delivery charges involved.
Oil companies are reporting that as much as 4 pence per litre is being saved by residents, and some deliveries for as much as 15,000 litres of oil are now being requested.
Ways to save money on your utility bills
Shower Save
You could save money on your water bills by installing a free 'E.On' Shower Save.
What are the benefits?
- Saves money on your water & energy bills every year.
- Delivers an enjoyable shower at a constant flow of 7.6 litres per minute
- It'll take you just a couple of minutes to fit - no plumber required - see our installation video.
- Comes with a 15-year warranty on flow rate control element.
Click here to access the South West Water web page for more information and to apply for yours now.
'Hippo' toilet water savers.
A Hippo will reduce each flush by about 2.5 litres. Only use a hippo If your toilet was installed prior to 1991.
Save-A-Flush
A Save-a-flush will reduce each flush by 1 litre. More recently installed toilets will use 6 litres which is the current standard and should not be reduced further.
Click here to order, or for more information on water saving products.
Is your electric shower cost effective?
Check out the 'Sust-It' website by clicking here to access an electric shower cost calculator.
South West Water - 'Water Sure' scheme.
You may qualify for a lower bill if you receive a means tested benefit or Tax Credit.
WaterSure can help you if you have a low-income and your water is measured by a meter. We can put a limit on your charges for water and sewerage services, if you meet the following conditions:-
- Your supply is metered
- The person who pays the water bill or someone else in your household receives benefit or tax credits.
- There are either:-
- three or more children under the age of 19 living in the household for whom the person receiving the above benefit also claims Child Benefit; or
- you or someone living in your household has a medical condition which causes extra water to be used.
Click here for more information on Water Sure..
Heating Costs
Have a look at the Confused about energy website.
Confused About Energy is a free impartial service to help you reduce energy consumption and save on your energy costs. Much of the available information regarding energy efficiency savings is confusing and misleading. At Confused About Energy we aim to cut through the jargon and provide practical, impartial advice on all aspects of energy use and ways in which you can save money.
EDF Energy Assist Tariff
Energy Assist is a discounted tariff for households experiencing fuel poverty. It offers a discount on EDF's current standard tariff prices.
Key benefits of Energy Assist:
• a discount off standard gas and electricity prices
• free energy efficiency advice
• free or discounted energy efficiency measures
• free benefits entitlement check
Energy Assist is only available to customers who meet the following qualification criteria:
• Spend more than 10% of their total net annual household income on their annual household energy costs; or
• Be in receipt of ;
- Income Support and /or
- Pension Credit benefits
For more information, please call EDF free on 0800 269 450
Click on the link below for more information.
http://www.edfenergy.com/sustainability/our-sustainability-challenge/affordable-energy/energy-assist-qualification-criteria.shtml
Download related PDF documents