Many homes in the UK still rely on heating oil to warm their homes and the government is urging homeowners to seek the assistance they’re entitled to, in order to reduce their fuel bills.
As winter starts to set in around the country there are lots of vulnerable people who are still using oil, such as pensioners and those on low incomes. And energy minister Greg Barker says these people should be taking advantage of the schemes available to them, such as the Warm Front. This particular scheme provides funds for home renovations.
Most people are still on oil heating because they live away from the main grid, and this proves to be an expensive way to warm your home. But schemes such as the Warm Front could offer those away from the grid £6,000 to improve the efficiency of homes.
As well as improving the insulation with loft lagging, double glazing and wall cavity insulation, the funds will also help homeowners upgrade inefficient heating systems with modern boilers.
Minister Barker said: “With the coldest months of the year fast approaching, there’s never been a better time for people on low incomes to pick up the phone and apply for a Warm Front grant.”
To help even more homes, the government revealed earlier in the month that an additional £10 million would be pumped into the Warm Front scheme. This is all part of the government’s Getting Ready for Winter Campaign, which is run in partnership with the Met Office and Age UK.
For homes not using oil to heat their property there are options too. Inefficient boilers add hundreds of pounds to yearly household bills, and this pushes some people into fuel poverty.
Just upgrading to a new efficient boiler will ease your worries ahead of the winter period, reducing your bills and your carbon footprint.