We all keep our homes at slightly different temperatures, so you might not think too much about it if you need an extra jumper when visiting Aunty Mary.
But sometimes that chilly living room can be a sign of trouble, not personal preference.
Fuel poverty support
Fuel poverty in still increasing in the UK. The costs of energy and other essentials continue to rise; meanwhile progress on energy efficiency retrofit for the poorest households threatens to stall while we wait for the government’s newly announced Warm Homes Plan to translate into funding.
But help is available for vulnerable households enduring cold, unhealthy homes. If you can spot the signs of fuel poverty when you visit family and neighbours – in Gloucestershire, South Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Powys or Ceredigion – Severn Wye’s expert advisers can step in to support them.
What to look out for
Some of the signs of fuel poverty are obvious, but people aren’t always comfortable admitting vulnerability so keep an eye out for more subtle indications that things aren’t right.
- admitting confusion or distress about energy bills
- avoiding using the heating while obviously being too cold
- a broken, inefficient, or unsafe heating system
- signs of unopened post, especially energy bills
- struggling to keep a prepayment meter topped up
- wearing outdoor clothes indoors
- signs of damp, mould, or condensation around the house
- chronic health problems made worse by cold or poor living conditions – these can be coughs and colds that won’t go away, or less visible conditions such as depression or cardiac problems
- low confidence, memory or other cognitive difficulties that can affect someone’s ability to manage energy use and bills – or can themselves be a sign that enduring the cold is affecting someone’s mental health
- a recent change in circumstances such as illness, bereavement, or income loss
- living alone, especially in an isolated area or property that’s harder to heat.
Be a nosy neighbour
It can be easy to disregard the realities of fuel poverty if you don’t need to think twice about turning up the thermostat. But the impacts of inadequate or no heat on people’s physical and mental health can be insidious and long-term.
So enrol yourself in your neighbourhood fuel poverty watch – your vigilance could make a life-changing difference to someone struggling in silence.
How to get help
If you suspect someone is experiencing or at risk of fuel poverty, give them our number or ask them if you can contact our free adviceline on their behalf. With their permission our advisers will assess their needs to see what help we can provide.
