Want to save energy and cut your fuel bills? But worried about staying warm in the winter? A free service can guide you. And, with the big six energy suppliers raising prices recently, now could be the right time to take action.

Ealing Council’s Healthy Homes Ealing, formerly known as COSIE, runs a free phone hotline providing advice to residents.

Councillor Peter Mason, the council’s cabinet member for housing and transformation, said: “Whether your home was overheated during the heat wave, or is far too cold in the winter, we want to make sure you aren’t falling into poor health because of the building you live in.

“We are really keen to help those whose health and well-being may be affected by cold homes. Vulnerable residents could qualify, depending on eligibility, for a home visit, with tailored energy advice and support. Where necessary, fuel debt advice is also provided.”

‘I COULDN’T AFFORD TO REPAIR OR REPLACE IT’

Mamooda Khan lives in Southall with her husband and disabled son. She approached Healthy Homes Ealing in January, deeply worried about problems with her heating and its effect on her son.

Mrs Khan said: “It is a very helpful programme. My boiler was faulty and I couldn’t afford to repair or replace it because of the high cost. My energy bill would also have been very high if I had carried on using it.”

A home energy advisor visited the family to check the boiler and referred them to the council for funding to get it replaced. He also found some other easy ways to save energy and money – he installed some low-energy LED lightbulbs, fitted a TV standby plug and also a replacement shower head so the shower uses less energy and water. All of these in combination should save the family hundreds of pounds a year.

Mrs Khan added: “The energy saving tips were very helpful.”

MORE INFORMATION

Call Healthy Homes Ealing on 0800 083 2265 (free to all users) Monday-Friday, 9am-5.30pm, or use the online referral form at www.ealing.gov.uk/energyefficiency to get free energy advice.

NO CENTRAL HEATING?

If your home does not have a central heating system installed, for example it uses old electric storage heaters, then the council may be able to help.

Depending on your income, the energy rating of the home and other factors, you might qualify for support to install central heating.

Read more at ealingnewsextra.co.uk/features/heating