Advice for vulnerable people this winter

Try to heat your living room to 21°C (70°F), and your bedroom and the rest of the house heated to 18°C (65°F).

If you can’t heat all the rooms you use, heat the living room during the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed

Get your heating system, cooking appliances and electric blanket checked and keep your home well ventilated

Do not use a gas cooker or oven to heat your home; it is inefficient and there is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and this can kill

Consider replacing your old energy inefficient boiler with a new one. Action Surrey can assist you to obtain up to 100% funding towards a new energy efficient boiler, however you will need to be on certain income related benefits and it is subject to a survey. Contact Action Surrey on 0800 783 2503 [email protected]; www.actionsurrey.org – referrals can be made online.

Fit draught proofing to seal any gaps around windows and doors – your local Home Improvement Agency may help with this.

Make sure you have sufficient loft insulation and consider cavity wall insulation. Even if you have solid walls funding is available.

Check with whether you can receive the Warm Homes Discount which is £135 discount off your electricity bill. Contact the Warm Home Discount Scheme helpline Telephone: 0845 603 9439

Check you are eligible to receive the Winter Fuel Payment which is a tax-free payment for older people.

Ask your energy supplier whether you are eligible to join their “Priority Services Register”. This may offer extra free services such as a service more tailored to your needs; moving a meter or a gas safety check.

Action Surrey can assist you to access grants and loans to fit insulation and boilers Tel: 0800 783 2503 [email protected]; www.actionsurrey.org

(Updated December 2013)