Tips on keeping warm this winter in Sussex (download Word version here)

There are hundreds of homes across the country that will not be able to afford to keep adequately warm at a reasonable cost this winter.
Fuel poverty takes place when a household needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel in order to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.

Among the causes of fuel poverty are; low household income, inefficient or expensive heating systems, poor insulation or expensive fuels.
Rebecca Jones, the Fuel Poverty Co-ordinator for West Sussex, said: "In West Sussex there is quite an elderly population with many relying on pensions as their only income. We need to make sure everyone can afford to keep their homes warm and stay healthy so I hope people reading this article will also pass the information on to friends and neighbours. There is assistance available to most people especially those on certain benefits (including Disability Living Allowance) to make their winter more comfortable."

Our simple guide below tells you how to keep warm, save on heating bills and make your house more energy efficient.

Insulate your home Loft and cavity wall insulation are good means of trapping warmth in the home, as most heat is lost through these areas. You could also hang a thick curtain on front and back doors and use draught-proofing strips.

Apply for grants  There are lots of discounts, offers and grants available from energy suppliers and the Government on heating and insulating your home. Contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre free on 0800 512 012 for impartial, local advice.

Warm Front is a government-funded scheme to make homes warmer and more energy-efficient. To find out if you qualify and to check what benefits you could be entitled to, call free 0800 072 9006.

Eat for warmth  Regular hot meals and hot drinks provide warmth and energy. Remember to boil just the water you need.

Keep moving  Any activity, even vacuuming, gets circulation going and makes you feel warmer.

Dress appropriately  Wrap up warmly, indoors and out, ideally several layers of thin clothing.

Keep your home at the right temperature  Hang thermometers in the living room and bedroom and keep temperatures between 18 and 21 Centigrade (65 and 72 Fahrenheit). Regulate your hot water to no higher than 60 Centigrade (140 Fahrenheit).

Keep warm at night  Wearing the right clothing to bed is as important as wrapping up outdoors. Don't forget to draw curtains at dusk to keep in the warmth.

Let damp air out  and keep lids on pans to prevent condensation and mould growth. Warm air can hold more moisture than cold.

Get a flu jab  The flu virus changes every year so get your jab EVERY YEAR.

Sleep with your windows closed  Cold air on the head at night will increase blood pressure increasing the risk of stroke or heart attacks.

Winter Fuel Payment  Everyone over 60 should claim the Winter Fuel Payment. The Winter Fuel Payments helpline is on 0845 915 1515 (text phone 0845 601 5613). You can use this helpline for any queries you have about Winter Fuel Payments, or to find out what is happening if you are expecting a payment and it is late.

Priority Service Register  There are many free products and services designed to make life easier for older or vulnerable people, provided free by your energy supplier. Very importantly, this includes advance notice of electricity supply breaks and priority re-supply - important if you rely on medical equipment or a stair lift at home. It also provides a password protection scheme to protect from bogus callers and special cheaper tariffs from some energy suppliers.

Contact energywatch, the gas and electricity watchdog for more information or to register on 0845 906 0708.

See also the Fuel Poverty page on this website.