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Making your home warmer

Domestic heating currently accounts for 25% of UK energy use. We use so much energy for heating because many of our houses have little or no insulation, are draughty and lack basic energy efficiency technologies.

Cold, damp homes cause excess deaths in winter, particularly among the elderly. Living in a cold house greatly increases the risk of contracting a serious illness.

Cold homes can also have a significant impact on your health, particularly in winter. Find out more on keeping warm on our Winter Safety webpage.

If you are concerned about your energy costs and would like tailored and impartial information about how to improve the energy performance of your home, you can call a new government phoneline service on 0800 098 7950. This is open between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday and between 9am to 12pm on Saturdays. The phoneline service is in addition to the government’s energy advice website which provides recommendations based on your property details.

Ways of insulating and draught proofing your home

There are many easy and inexpensive ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Installing better insulation is the most effective way to improve domestic energy efficiency and raise the standard of UK housing. As well as reducing the carbon emissions from domestic energy use, a better insulated home will save you money on bills.

Further information on insulating your home can be found on the Energy Saving Trust website.

Financial help for low income households

If you’re a Newark and Sherwood resident on a low income, we want to help you to heat your home at an affordable cost. We’re here to help you find a better quality of life by living in a warm and comfortable home.

We do this by:

  • advising on offers and grants available
  • working with other local councils in an Energy Partnership (LAEP)
  • seeking funding opportunities to support residents with the cost of installing energy efficiency measures

For more information and advice, contact our energy team on 01636 650 000 or send us an email on help4u@newark-sherwooddc.gov.uk.

Nottingham Energy Partnership

Nottingham Energy Partnership are a climate change and fuel poverty charity providing home improvement measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes throughout Nottinghamshire. To find out if they can help you improve the energy efficiency of your home contact: 

Our services include:

  • Boiler repairs & replacement schemes (free and subsidised depending on income and health)
  • Boiler health check (Gas boiler service - free and subsidised depending on income and health)
  • Loft, Cavity and Solid wall insulation
  • Renewable energy (solar panels, ASHP)
  • Priority service register
  • Income maximisation (water bill discount, benefit check, debt advice)
  • Food vouchers

Warm Homes on Prescription

If you live in a low-income household where someone has cold-sensitive long-term health conditions, the Nottinghamshire Warm Homes on Prescription project may be able to help you keep your house warmer for less.

Optimising your heating

The ‘Let’s Optimise your Heating’ scheme has been funded by Nottinghamshire County Council as part of their Cost of Living support programme.

The scheme aims to encourage households to lower the flow temperature of condensing combi boilers to approximately 60°C to optimise the efficiency of their boilers. This reduces gas consumption resulting in an average of 9% savings on gas bills, which equates to approximately £178 a year – helping to alleviate energy bills during the Cost of Living Crisis. 

The campaign is offering free home visits, where a member of the team visits homes, showing them how to optimise the boiler, make the change and answer any questions they might have. To be eligible for a home visit, households must have a condensing combi boiler and live within the Nottinghamshire County Council district.

Great British Insulation Scheme

You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills through the government's Great British Insulation Scheme.

You might get support if your home:

You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.

To find out more or to apply, visit the government website.

Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Hub

The Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Hub provides in-person expert advice on how to improve the energy efficiency of your home. The service supports homeowners and landlords make significant reductions in carbon emissions and energy costs with tailored Home Energy Plans and practical knowledge via workshops and events.

If your home has

  • a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E to G,
  • is off the gas grid, or
  • located in a conservation area,

In addition to tailored retrofit guidance, HEAT Hub also offers a host of resources, installation guidance and advice on grants to help with all stages of retrofit journey.