Customer Services
Keeping warm this winter
Our staff can provide you with more tips and practical help. Speak to your neighbourhood officer or when you call us, ask if we can help.
Cold weather payments
You may be eligible for cold weather payments if you have experienced freezing temperatures for over seven days. Find out on the Direct Gov website - money and tax benefits
Answering your questions
What is fuel poverty?
If you spend more than 10% of your income on energy you are in fuel poverty. It is estimated that 4.6 million UK households are in fuel poverty.
Why not join Age UK's campaign to end fuel poverty and unnecessary fatalities amongst older people: "Spread the Warmth", at Age UK: Age UK "Spread the Warmth" campaign
How can I save money on my energy bills?
- Don’t leave TVs and monitors on standby. SAVE up to £40 a year
- Buy smaller LCD TV screens rather than large plasma screens. SAVE up to £25 a year
- Put silver foil behind your radiators to reflect heat back into the room. SAVE up to £20 a year
- Turn your thermostat down by one degree. SAVE up to £60 a year
- Have shower instead of a bath. SAVE up to £40 a year
- Buy energy efficient appliances. SAVE up to £30 a year
- Wash your clothes at 40 degrees. SAVE up to £10. Dry them outside instead of in a tumble. SAVE up to £25
- Use energy efficient bulbs. SAVE up to £40 a year.
- Switch off lights when you leave a room. SAVE up to £10.
- Making a cup of tea? Only use the water you need. SAVE up to £10
That’s a saving of up to £360. It all adds up!!
Getting the best deal on energy
What are social energy tariffs?
These are energy deals and advice for people that are classed as fuel poor. Many companies offer advice as well as a variety of tariffs:
- EDF: EDF Energy: affordable energy, or call the EDF Energy Priority Services Team on 0800 269 450
- npower - Spreading Warmth Tariff: call 0800 9751373
- E.ON - Staywarm: For more information go to the E.ON website.
- Scottish Power: Scottish Power: energy efficiency or call: 0845 2700 700
- Southern Electric (part of Scottish & Southern Energy): Priority Plan, or call Careline on 0800 622 838
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For free, impartial advice on energy bills, contact any of the following:
- Home Heat Helpline on 0800 33 66 99 (freephone)
- Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012 (freephone)
- Age Concern on 0800 00 99 66 (freephone)
If you are struggling to pay your bills, don’t ignore it. Get advice. Call us on (insert number) or:
- Consumer Credit Counselling Service 0800 138 1111 (freephone) or
- National Debtline 0808 808 4000 (freephone)
How do I deal with condensation in my home?
Every home gets condensation from time to time – it is caused by water in the air collecting on cold surfaces. You can reduce it by doing a few simple things:
- Cover pans when cooking and hang washing outside to dry
- Avoid using paraffin heaters - one of the main causes of condensation
- Keep bathroom and kitchen doors shut when you are using them
- Don't completely draught-proof rooms with condensation as this could make it worse
- If rooms are cold and are not being used, keep the doors shut.
- Keep a small window ajar or a trickle ventilator open in each occupied room.
Don’t forget - if you open windows; make sure you shut them when you go out.
- Heating can help but only if it's used in addition to the other suggestions
- It needs to be 'dry heat' like central heating or gas fires, not paraffin or portable gas heaters
- It's best to heat your home at a low level for a long time instead of an hour here and there.
Dealing with mildew
Mildew may first appear in corners or behind cupboards, but it can spread across entire walls and on to furnishings.
Mould can be removed by wiping with detergents or mould removers. It can be washed out of fabrics, but may leave stains or spoil colours.
Invicta Telecare
Do you, or a member of your family, need support or telecare services?
NHF Benefit changes leaflet 
