Carmarthenshire County Council’s housing staff have been out and about holding ‘Freezing Friday’ events to let people know how to keep their homes warm this winter.
As part of an ‘Affordable Warmth’ campaign, the council’s energy efficiency advisors have been explaining about the various home improvement initiatives and energy schemes that people could apply for.
Aware that many vulnerable people have health complications owing to cold homes, the team have also linked up with GP practices, catching up with people in the doctor’s waiting room, to offer advice.
Graham Harries, the housing team’s energy efficiency advisor, said: “We’ve spoken to many people over the last few weeks, and some have been surprised at the number of schemes that are out there to support them to make home improvements, or simply bring down their energy bills.
“We recognise that people’s finances are being squeezed at the moment, and they may be making the tough choice between heating their homes and feeding their families, but with a bit of advice we hope that we can help make heating their homes more affordable.”
As well as letting people know about Government-supported schemes such as Nest and Green Deal, which provide grants to eligible households for home improvements such as insulation and central heating, Graham has also been suggesting simpler changes that people can make.
They include loaning energy monitors from their local library to keep track of the energy they are using at home; joining a local fuel club to save money on oil; or signing up to Cyd Cymru, a collective switching scheme where people join together to negotiate better rates from electricity suppliers.
Cllr Tegwen Devichand, Executive Board Member for housing, said: “There is support out there for many households, whether privately owned or rented. Through the Affordable Warmth campaign we aim to offer advice and point people in the right direction. Hopefully they’ll be fortunate and get support to make home improvements, but even small changes help.”
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