By using this time to make sure their house is as energy efficient and as insulated as possible home owners will be reducing heating bills and doing their bit for the environment.
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Research carried out by the Home Heat Helpline showed that, while millions of people in the UK have an overwhelming desire to improve their homes energy efficienc, a large number of people have not taken steps recently to improve their homes.
The research showed that whilst 97 per cent of people believed it was important to make their homes energy efficient nearly a third (31 per cent) had not taken any such steps in the last twelve months.
Duncan Sedgwick, Chief Executive of the Energy Retail Association, said: The Bank holiday weekend has always been a time when home owners get down to some much needed DIY. This long weekend is a golden opportunity to also get their house in order when it comes to making sure their home is as insulated and energy efficient as possible.
Just one call to the Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 could help a home owner to access advice and financial support to improve their homes energy efficiency. As a result a typical household could save as much as £300 on fuel bills over the year.
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The Home Heat Helplines research also showed that some parts of the country are more likely to take steps to improve their houses energy efficiency or cut electricity use than others. While in Wales 75 per cent of people have made the effort, only 63 per cent of Londoners did the same.
Where households are taking steps to conserve energy the research showed that there was a noticeable emphasis on steps that will reduce electricity consumption rather than saving valuable heat in the home.
The most popular steps all related to electricity savings:
- 82 per cent had used energy efficient light bulbs
- 58 per cent had turned off appliances at the wall
- 48 per cent had used economy program when washing clothes
The least chosen steps all related to heating savings:
- 26 per cent had used draft excluders on letter boxes and doors
- 21 per cent had insulated their loft
- 18 per cent had double or triple glazing
- 14 per cent had insulated hot water tanks or pipes
By calling the Helpline households worried about their heating bills can gain advice on ways to cut down on their energy consumption or access possible grants that could help them insulate their home and therefore reduce their monthly energy bills by as much as £300 over the course of a year.
Lisa Dale, Policy and Research Executive for Foundations, (the national co-ordinating body for Home Improvement Agencies) said: “People in vulnerable groups are particularly at risk of suffering health and safety problems as a result of poorly heated housing, but often don’t have the resources to make home improvements themselves. The Government has set a target to increase the number of vulnerable households in the private sector living in decent homes to 70 per cent by 2010, and Regional Housing Boards and local authorities have targeted resources towards meeting this goal. There is also funding available to help people who are suffering fuel poverty and grants from other agencies to improve the energy efficiency of homes.
“Organisations like the Home Heat Helpline are very useful to help determine what assistance is available locally, which can be a confusing and difficult task for individual households. Home Improvement Agencies can help support people through the process of arranging and carrying out work to improve the heating and energy efficiency of their homes, and we are pleased to see that the helpline is used to help housing support professionals too.”
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The Home Heat Helpline, which is funded by Britains energy suppliers, was set up by the Energy Retail Association and aims to help vulnerable customers who have problems heating their home. The Helpline is the only service for all customers who have difficulties with heating their homes or paying for their energy bills no matter who their energy supplier is. It is staffed by expert advisors, including former health professionals who are trained to give advice on how to stay warm during cold weather. The Helpline can also take calls from intermediaries calling on behalf of vulnerable people, such as friends, family, carers, social workers or health visitors.
To help those worried about heating their homes the Helpline has produced a range of guides for consumers, charities and advice groups. These include digital guides that can be downloaded from the Home Heat Helpline website which contain information and advice on insulating homes properly; making sure homes are as energy efficient as possible and providing information on how people can register for extra services to ensure they are warm for next winter.
Customers paying for insulation themselves will save £175 over 2 years and a further £370 each year after that, however many vulnerable customers (including older people and those on benefits) can get insulation for free through grants from their energy supplier or from the Government. People who are not eligible for these grants will however be eligible for insulation at much reduced rates through their energy supplier.
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