Energy Efficiency
Statistics from the Northern Ireland House Condition Survey of 2006 indicated that an estimated 3,230 (45.3%) of households in the Moyle District Council area spend more than 10% of their income on household fuel costs.
Those most vulnerable are older people, people with a disability or chronic health issues, young children and babies.
It is therefore important to ensure that your home is as energy efficient as possible. An efficient, regularly serviced heating system, cavity wall and loft insulation will minimise heat loss from the home, while other smaller measures can greatly reduce your electricity bills.
For example, switching off appliances instead of leaving them on standby can reduce your electricity costs by 6%, while turning the thermostat down by 1°C can reduce your heating costs by 10%. (source: Energy saving Trust)
Further details and energy efficiency tips are available from
Grant Schemes
Warm Homes Scheme
|
Qualifying Benefit |
Warm Homes |
Warm Homes Plus |
|
Income Support |
Y |
Y |
|
Income Related Employment & Support Allowance |
Y |
Y |
|
Income Based Job Seekers Allowance |
Y |
Y |
|
Pension Credit |
Y |
Y |
|
Child Tax Credit (with relevant income less than £15,860) |
Y |
|
|
Working Tax Credit |
Y |
Y |
|
Disability Living Allowance |
Y |
|
|
Attendance Allowance |
Y |
|
|
Housing Benefit |
Y |
Y |
This can help provide
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Loft Insulation
- Hot water Cylinder Jacket
- Benefit Entitlement Check
- Energy Advice
Some applicants may also be eligible for heating measures, if they currently have solid fuel, Economy 7, bottled gas system (LPG) or no system at all. Conditions apply.
Power NI is offering householders, who fall outside the Warm Homes criteria, free loft and/or cavity wall insulation for their home.
There may also be a heating package available where Economy 7 heating. solid fuel heating, or no central heating exists. Conditions apply. Please contact the Energy Efficiency Adviser for details. Tel: 028 2076 2225.The insulation package is available to the following people: -
Single person household with an income/pension less than £18,000 gross
Or
Couple or single parent family with an income/pension less than £25,000 gross
Or
Single person household/Couple with an income/pension less than £30,000 gross and over 70 years of age
Funding is limited with grants offered on a first come first served basis
Further details and energy efficiency tips are available fromBarbara Gray (Energy Efficiency Adviser)
This popular scheme is designed to help assist residents to budget their oil payments and ensure that they beat the winter chill.
Stamps (£5 each) can be purchased at any time from a number of local retail outlets and kept on an Oil Savings Card. These stamps will then be accepted in payment by a selection of local oil companies.
This means that householders can spread the cost over several weeks or months rather than having to spend hundreds of pounds in one payment.
Participating local retailers are:
The rising oil prices have led to an increase in raids on domestic heating oil tanks as thieves attempt to cash in on current markets.
The police have issued warnings to homeowners to be wary of unusual vans or lorries parked close to their property.
Other advice includes:
- Fitting a sturdy padlock to the filler cap
- Ensuring gates and fences are in good repair
- Plant defensive shrubs (thorny) around your oil tank, e.g. holly
- Lighting, dusk to dawn lights activated by a photocell are good as they give light all night
- If you are re-siting an oil tank, or building a new house, consider securing the tank in a locked structure
Anyone with information in relation to the theft of heating oil, should contact their local PSNI station, or Crimestoppers free on 0800 555 111.
