We know that gas and electricity bills grow during the colder months and add to the already high costs of owning and renting a home.
As a compassionate council, we want to ensure that every resident has access to help and support, especially those most impacted by the rising cost of living.
So, we've launched H&F Healthy Homes, a new scheme to help residents be more energy efficient with advice, free home visits and grants.
Our easy-to-follow guide below can help you get started with affordable and environmentally friendly ways to ensure you, and your loved ones, stay warm and well this winter.
Heat gradually to save over time
Reducing the temperature of the water in your boiler from 80 to 65 degrees Celsius will warm your home more gradually while still getting just as warm over time, potentially saving you £80 a year.
If you have a thermostat in your home, turn the temperature down from 19 to just 18 degrees Celsius to save upwards of £150 a year.
Dress up your boiler
Boiler jackets are like blankets for your hot water tank. At £20 apiece, they can help reduce heat loss and save you and your household £200 a year.
Receive a free home visit
You may be eligible for a free home visit from one of our energy efficiency experts. They can provide bespoke support, tailored to your needs, and install free energy-saving measures like draught proofing, radiator foils and led lights.
Warm up the person, not the room
Have you ever come in from the cold and found yourself turning the heating up, only to feel overheated an hour later? Your house might already be at the perfect temperature.
Before cranking up the heat, try warming yourself first with a hot drink or an extra layer of clothes while you wait for your fingers to get used to their warmer surroundings.
Mythbusting: Hot water and bacteria
Did you know? Washing your hands with cold or room-temperature water cleans them just as effectively as hot water.
Meanwhile, try washing your clothes at 30 degrees Celsius instead of 40 degrees – it can cut the amount of electricity used by 40%. Sixty degrees is enough to kill any bacteria when washing your bed sheets, towels and underwear.
Lower, slower, and less often
Many modern appliances now have ECO modes that can help reduce your electricity usage and keep your bills down. Want to reduce them further? Make sure appliances like washing machines and dishwashers are full before using them.
Grants and schemes for homeowners
Retrofitting your home can lead to significant long-term savings on your energy bills. As part of H&F Healthy Homes, we can help you understand what improvements would work best for your home and guide you through accessing critical funding support of up to £10,000 including the Great British Insulation Scheme and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
