Keep your bills down

• Draw the curtains at dusk, close doors behind you, keep windows and doors closed when the heating is on (although if using a gas heater make sure the room is ventilated with a flue).
• Switch off lights when leaving each room.
• Make sure your loft has 250mm (10inches) of loft insulation
• Fit foil behind radiators to reflect heat back in the room.
• Don't overfill your kettle - only put in the water you need.
• Switch off the TV - standby uses nearly as much power as when it's fully on Your hot water tank should be set to around 60°C.
• Wash clothes and linen at 30 or 40°C (modern detergents perform better).
• Take a shower - it uses less water than a bath.

Call the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre FREE on 0800 512012 or visit the Energy Saving Trust's website.

If you are struggling to pay gas or electricity bills, contact your supplier as soon as possible to avoid debt mounting up. They will have payment schemes that let you spread your bill out over the year. The Home Heat Helpline 0800 33 66 99 can
offer advice on this. Before you do that, it's also a good idea to contact energywatch - the gas and electricity consumer watchdog. They offer free, independent advice, as does your local Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern and the Home Heat helpline.
As well as advice on bills, energywatch can help take up complaints, help you switch suppliers, register you for free services through your supplier, and let you know about grants and benefits that you may be missing out on. Contact the energywatch Priority Consumer Team on 0845 906 0708 or email them at priority.consumers@energywatch.org.uk

 Help with heating costs

A Winter Fuel Payment is an annual payment to help people aged 60 and over with the costs of keeping warm this winter.
You can get more information about this scheme from the pension service winter fuel payments pages or by calling The Winter Fuel Payment Helpline on 08459 15 15 15 (0845 601 5613 for textphone users). Lines are open from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

 Insulation Home Improvement for Council Tenants

If you are a Council Tenant and are interested in finding out more about improving the insulation in your home contact your managing agent for advice on the options open to you.

 Free Light Bulb Scheme

Council tenants are eligible for free energy saving light bulbs as part of the council's initiative to save power and reduce emissions in the borough. The bulbs emit 100-watt brightness, but only use the equivalent of 20 watts of energy.

Council tenants can claim up to four free light bulbs, which last up to twelve years, simply by bringing along their rent book to the housing reception at 17-27 Garratt Lane. New Council tenants will receive their light bulbs when they collect their keys.