Keeping your home warm
It is important that you keep your home warm, if you can't afford to heat the whole house, keep your living room at 21°C and your bedroom at 18°C. Give your bedroom a boost before you go to bed each night. Get to know how your heating controls work ask a friend or neighbour for help if you are unsure.
Keeping heat in home
Insulate your home
Insulate your home to save money and keep the heat in. Loft insulation can save you up to £150 per year off your fuel bills, and cavity wall insulation up to £140 per year savings. Don't forget to draught proof your windows and doors, which could save you on average £55 per year.
Make sure your heating is safe
Get your boiler and heating serviced regularly by a qualified engineer.
Check on the Gas Safe Register website, to see if your gas engineer is registered before having your gas boiler or other appliances serviced.
Find an OFTEC registered technician on the OFTEC website, to see if you engineer is registered before having your oil-fired boiler serviced.
If you have a coal fire or wood burner, remember to have your chimney swept regularly.
Install a Carbon Monoxide detector in each room you have a fuel burning appliance, it will make a loud noise if it detects gas. Don't use this as a substitute for servicing your heating appliances though.
See How to install and test carbon monoxide detectors on the Which website, for advice.
Water
Burst water pipe
- Turn off the water at the mains by shutting of the main stop tap.
- Turn off your heating.
- Turn on your sink taps to drain your water system.
- Find the broken pipe and inspect the damage.
- Soak up any excess water with towels or use a bucket.
- Check your insurance, your insurance company may want you to use their approved plumber. If not you can you can find a local approved plumber on the WaterSafe website.
- Don’t touch wiring or switches which you suspect may have come into contact with water. If in doubt turn off your electricity at the mains.
Wastewater
See help with your water and wastewater services on the United Utilities website for online form to report water and waste water problems. United Utilities look after the sewers for all properties with mains sewerage in Eden district with the exception of Alston and Nenthead.
See what to do about a blocked drain on Northumbrian Water website for all properties with mains sewerage in Alston and Nenthead area only.
See septic tanks for a list of companies who will empty, service and provide advice on maintaining your tank to ensure it works correctly.
Priority services
If you need extra support in the event of a power cut or if you have no water you can add your name to the priority registers below:
Join the Priority Services Register on the Electricity North West website.
Register for priority services on the United Utilities website.
Register for priority services register on the Northumbrian Water website.
Join the 'Priority Service Register on the Ofgem website to register your priority need for gas and electricity. The service is free.
Energy saving and safety advice
1 in 10 older people cut back on their winter heating to make ends meet. A range of help is available to help you cover the costs of winter, so make sure you receive your payments.
Safety at home on the Cumbria Fire and Rescue Service website.
Winter fuel payments
See winter fuel payments on GOV.UK, which is for people born on or before 26 September 1956, who should receive a payment automatically.
Find out how to claim a winter fuel payment on GOV.UK if you’re eligible but do not get paid automatically.
Cold weather payments
See cold weather payments on GOV.UK, which you may get if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest. However, getting a payment depends on the temperatures falling to an average of 0°C for 7 consecutive days.
Warm home discount
Warm Home Discount is a one off credit of £140, which can be added to your Electricity account in the Winter. If you receive the Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit, you will automatically receive the discount. If you are in receipt of a Government benefits and have a low income, you can apply for the Discount. You can apply through your energy supplier. Please see your respective energy supplier’s website for information on how to apply.
See get a new energy certificate on GOV.UK and for details on finding an assessor to assess your home for an energy performance certificate (EPC).
Read 'Gas Safety' on the Gas Safe Register website for gas safety guidance to help you keep your home safe.
Cold to Cosy homes
Find out about Cold to Cosy homes on the Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) website. CAfS offer free home energy efficiency advice from a qualified assessor. The assessor can discuss what savings are possible and the next steps with you.
Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)
Go to LEAP website for free energy and money saving service.
Dress for warmth
Wear several layers of clothes rather than one chunky layer; this will trap the heat better to keep you warm.
Cover yourself with a blanket or shawl if you are sitting for long periods. Try to put your feet up too! The air is colder near the floor.
Money matters
See the list of organisation who offer support to Eden residents in checking whether they are entitled to financial support.
Our benefits team
Offer support with making claims for:
- Housing benefit.
- Council tax reduction.
- Council tax discount.
- Discretionary housing payments.
Contact the Benefits team email benefits2@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk or telephone 0300 373 3300.
Age UK
Visit Carlisle and Eden Age UK website, who offer a free and confidential information and advice service for older people (over 50), their families and carers.
Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden
Visit the Citizens Advice Carlisle and Eden website, who provide free, confidential, impartial and independent advice and information on their rights and responsibilities to the people of both Carlisle and Eden districts.
Pennine Community Credit Union LTD
Pennine Community Credit Union LTD has taken over Affinity Credit Union.
Go to Pennine Community Credit Union LTD website, to find out more.