This winter it is more important than ever to keep warm and well. Living in a cold home can make some health conditions worse, such as breathing and heart problems, and asthma in children. It can also impact on your mental wellbeing.
If you are finding it difficult to heat your home, you can get support and advice through the warm home check service.
Warm Home Check Service
The free service provides telephone advice on keeping homes warm and reducing energy costs, and gives information on the financial support available for heating.
Residents on low incomes may also qualify for a free COVID-secure home visit and help with minor improvements such as improved insulation and boiler repairs.
The warm home check service is available all year round.
Green Homes Grant
Funding from the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme also means eligible households, living in the least energy efficient homes, could benefit from a range of fully funded insulation or low carbon heating improvements.
Who has been helped?
Frederick Mepham from St Leonards-on-Sea was helped by the scheme recently. Mr Mepham has a number of serious health issues which have left him vulnerable to the cold, and his flat was difficult and expensive to heat.
Following a visit from an energy advisor, it was established that Mr Mepham was eligible for energy efficiency measures including the installation of a new central heating system with thermostatic radiator valves, and cavity wall insulation.
Mr Mepham is delighted with the results and said: “It’s fantastic. When you go in now there’s such a difference.
“I used to sit with a blanket round me. Even with the electric fire on I’d sit under a blanket. Now it’s so lovely.”
Following the work Mr Mepham’s bills are cheaper and he no longer has breathing difficulties from the cold inside his flat.
Mr Mepham adds: “I have trouble breathing. Now I don’t need to go into a cold flat and not be able to get my breath.
“It’s like walking into fairyland.”
Find out more
For more information and to apply for a Warm Home Check visit www.eastsussex.gov.uk/keepwarm.
And visit the Green Homes Grant website to find out more about how to get your own voucher if you aren’t eligible for support from the warm home check service.
