View our 'Tips to Save Energy in Your Home' flyer to view our top five tips.

Here are some simple tips which may help reduce your winter fuel bills whilst remaining warm and well:

  • Don’t overheat your home.  As long as the rooms are at the recommended temperature (18°C for your main living room), you can turn down your thermostat.  By turning down your thermostat by just 1° can save you around £60 a year
  • Close your curtains and internal doors at dusk – this can save you around £15-20 a year
  • Turn off your lights when not in a room
  • Don’t leave electrical appliances on standby, switch items like your TV off at the wall
  • Use your washing/drying devices at full capacity
  • Only boil as much water as you need in your kettle
  • Only heat the parts of your home you need and get your boiler to work for you by setting the thermostat
  • Fit low energy light bulbs and LEDs to save around £55 per bulb per lifetime.

 

Staying Warm in your home isn't all about your thermostat:

  • Visit a price comparison website to ensure you are getting the best deal from your energy provider
  • Layer up with lots of thin items of clothing rather than one bulky item.  Also wearing slippers indoors is a good way to keep toasty!
  • Try to eat a balanced diet with warm meals and hot drinks
  • A bit of light exercise can get your blood flowing - a little housework such as vacuuming can get you moving and keep you warm
  • Keep wrapped up at night and if necessary use a hot water or electric blanket.

 

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born on or before 25 September 1957 you could get between £250 and £600 to help you pay your heating bills. This is known as a ‘Winter Fuel Payment’.

The amount you get includes a 'Pensioner Cost of Living Payment'.  This is between £150 and £300.  You'll get this extra amount in winter 2023 to 2024.  This is in addition to any other Cost of Living Payments you get with you benefit or Tax Credits.

Most people get the Winter Fuel Payment automatically if they are eligible.

If you are eligible, you'll get a letter in October or November telling you how much you'll get.  Most eligible people are paid in November or December.

If you do not get a letter but think you are eligible, or if you need to find out what to do if you haven't received your payment, visit the gov.uk website:

https://www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

Cold Weather Payments

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you are getting certain benefits.

You'll get a payment if the average temperature in your area is recorded as, or forecast to be, zero degrees celsius or below for seven consecutive days.

You'll get £25 for each seven day period of very cold weather between 1 November and 31 March.

The 2022 - 2023 Cold Weather Payment scheme has now ended.  The 2023 - 2024 scheme will start on 1 November 2023.  You will be able to check if your area is due a payment in November 2023.

Cold Weather Payments are different to Winter Fuel Payments.

Find out more on the gov.uk website.

https://www.gov.uk/cold-weather-payment

Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme for winter 2023 to 2024 opens on 16 October 2023. This page will be updated following that date.

Find out more on the gov.uk website.

https://www.gov.uk/the-warm-home-discount-scheme

Household Support Fund

The household support fund (HSF) offers help to Derbyshire residents facing financial hardship by providing grants and other financial support. The fund is provided to Derbyshire County Council by the Department of Work and Pensions. Residents can apply to receive support from the Derbyshire Discretionary Fund by phone: 01629 533399.

Find out more on the Derbyshire County Council website:

Derbyshire County Council website

Tips To Save Energy In Your Home Poster (1)

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Keep Warm Keep Well Leaflet 2022

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