Carrickfergus Borough Council - Warm Homes

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Warm Homes

Warm Homes Scheme

The Warm Homes Scheme provides a grant to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient.  The scheme provides a host of insulation and heating measures to eligible private sector householders who are in receipt of a specified qualifying benefit. Unfortunately it is not available to Housing Executive or Housing Assoication tennants.

There are two parts to the Warm Homes Scheme, Warm Homes and Warm Homes Plus.  All eligible applicants will initially qualify for Warm Homes (insulation measures only). 

Warm Homes grant provides insulation measures up to £850 to eligible householders

It is open to householders of any age in receipt of one or more of the following benefits

• Income support.
•  Income related Employment Support Allowance.
• Income based Job Seekers Allowance.
• Pension Credit.
• Child Tax Credit.    (With NHS exemption certificate)
• Working Tax Credit.
• Disability Living Allowance.
• Attendance Allowance.
• Housing Benefit.
• Rate Rebate.

Warm Homes Plus is for applicants who may also qualify for heating or complex more costly insulation measures.  Warm Homes Plus applicants will be identified by assessors when the property is being surveyed. Warm Homes Plus Scheme provides heating as well as insulation measures to eligible householders who are identified through the assessment process.  To qualify they must have solid fuel, Economy 7, bottled gas system (LPG) or no system at all.

For further information on the Warm Homes Scheme contact Paul Miles in Environmental Services Department on 93358000

Ways to keep the heat in 

Heating your home can be expensive, so it pays to keep the heat in. The following can help to keep your home warmer for longer and more energy efficient.

• Hot water tank jacket.
• Draught proofing
• Cavity wall and solid wall insulation
• Loft insulation
• An efficient heating system
• Double glazing

 Keeping Warm at Home 

Those most vulnerable to the cold are older people, people with disabilities or illnesses, babies and young children.

The recommended room temperature for the living area is 21^o C.

• If you can, heat all the rooms you use during the day. If this is not possible, make sure your living area is kept warm during the day and heat your bedroom before going to bed.
• Wearing the right kind of clothes can help keep you much warmer. Wear several thin layers of clothes- this traps body heat better than one thick layer. Clothes made from wool, cotton or fleecy synthetic materials are warmest.
• Do not stay sitting still for long periods. Any activity, even household chores, gets the circulation going and makes you feel warmer.
• Eat at least one hot meal a day. Have hot drinks throughout the day and one before bedtime.

Simple Ways to Save Energy 

• Turn your thermostat down by 1^o C can cut your heating bill by 10%.
• Take appliances off standby- they continue to use 5% of energy while left on standby.
• Kettles only boil as much water as you need insuring you have covered the element ( in electric kettle)
• Close curtains and tuck behind radiators to keep the heat in.
• Use 30⁰ C Instead of 40⁰C temperature programmes when washing clothes.
• If you are buying new appliances, look for the energy saving logo. The higher the rating the more you save.
• Energy saving light bulbs use 20% less energy than standard bulbs and can last up to 12 times longer.

(This energy saving information was provided by the Energy Saving Trust)

The Energy Savings Trust is a one-stop advice centre for energy efficiency advice.  You can contact them on 0800 512 012 or visit their website www.est.org.uk for more information.