Cymraeg
 

Keep Warm

Useful information about keeping warm during the winter months.
It is very important to stay warm. We are all more likely to catch colds and flu in winter but the cold weather can also trigger some more serious health problems such as heart attacks, strokes and pnemonia.

  

Top tips for heating your home effectively and saving energy

 

With energy costs at an all time high, simple measures to make your home more energy efficient can have a significant impact on your energy bills.  By setting your heating to the right temperature (between 18°C and 21°C, or 64°F to 70°F), you can keep your home warm and lower your bills.  See below for our top tips for heating your home effectively.
  • Heating and insulation improvements.  Nest is the Welsh Government’s fuel poverty scheme. It aims to help reduce the number of households in fuel poverty and make Welsh homes warmer and more fuel-efficient places to live.  Nest provides free, impartial advice on saving energy, money management, benefit entitlement and whether you're eligible for home improvements at no cost under the scheme.
    If you’re worried about the cost of heating your home, you can call  0800 512 012 free from a landline or 0300 456 2655 from a mobile phone.  Visit Nest
  • Save energy wherever you can: for example by switching off appliances rather than leaving them on standby, replacing normal lightbulbs with energy efficient bulbs which use one fifth of the electricity, and only boiling as much water as you need in the kettle.  For free, independent and local energy advice, visit the Energy Saving Trust or call 0800 512 012.
  •  Struggling to pay your electricity or gas bill? Contact your energy supplier as soon as possible.  The Home heat Helpline will also give advice on reduced or 'social' tarrifs which offer customers more affordable prices for their gas and electricity, call 0800 33 66 99 or visit Home Heat Helpline.
  • Winter Fuel Payment -  You may get a Winter Fuel Payment for winter 2011/12 if both the following apply:
    • you have reached the qualifying age (born on or before 5 January 1951) 
    • you normally live in Great Britain or Northern Ireland on any day in the week of 19–25 September 2011
    This payment can be between £100 and £300 depending on your situation.  Find out if you are eligible for this payment and how to apply by calling Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 0845 915 15 15 or visit Direct Gov.
  • Cold Weather Payment - These are made during periods of very cold weather to help people pay for extra heating costs.  To get a Cold Weather Payment, the average temperature where you live must be recorded as, or expected to be 0°C or below for seven days in a row.  You must be able to get Cold Weather Payments if you are getting Pension Credit.  You don't need to apply; you'll get a Cold Weather Payment automatically as long as you qualify.  Tell your pension centre if you think you should have recieved a Cold Weather Payment but you have not or call the Pension Service on 0800 99 1234.
  • Know how your heating controls work.  Ask your family or friends to help, or contact your local Care and Repair Agency for free advice.  Call 029 2057 6286 to find out where your local agency is.  If you can't heat all of the rooms you use, heat the living room throughout the day and your bedroom just before you go to bed.