• If you're a pensioner or on a low income, you could get energy saving measures like insulation installed at a discounted price. 
• Adding cavity wall and/or loft insulation to your home can be surprisingly easy.
• Although double or secondary glazing are great at stopping heat escaping through your windows, hanging thick curtains or adding a thermal lining will help you keep the heat in too.
• It might not sound like much, but fitting keyhole covers, letterbox covers and draught excluders around your home, stops cold air from coming in. And it's cheap and easy to do.
• Take our free energy efficiency survey to see how you can save energy and money with our energy efficiency advice.

• Make sure your central heating system is in good working order by having it checked once a year.
• Do you know how your heating works? Most homes in the UK use a boiler and radiators or electric storage heating. Knowing how to use your heating system properly helps you get the most out of your energy.
• Some tariffs charge different prices at different times of day. They're often helpful for homes with electric heating and certain types of meters. With these tariffs, using energy at low cost times helps save you money.

• We offer a free account review to make sure you're on the best tariff for your needs.
• You may be eligible for a rebate through the Warm Home Discount scheme.
• If you have a debt with us, or are worried about paying a bill, we can offer advice and payment arrangements tailored to your circumstances.
• If you're worried about other debts, we can help you speak to someone who can help.

Priority Services

Priority Services are available to you if you are elderly, chronically sick, are disabled or are having difficulties in communicating with us. We provide services such as Braille or talking bills and a Knock and Wait service, to give you more time to answer the door when we visit. 

We can also add you to our Priority Services Register, so if there's a power cut in your area, the local operator will be aware of your needs. This is particularly important if you need an electricity supply for essential medical equipment.

Power cuts

We have some good advice on what to do if you have a power cut. It's a good idea to keep note of the emergency number for your area somewhere you can get to it easily like the fridge or a notice board.

Gas leaks

Gas leaks can be very dangerous. If you smell gas or think you have a leak call 0800 111 999 immediately. Only use a mobile phone when you're at a safe distance from your home.

Pay As You Go emergency credit

If you have a prepayment meter and find you run out of credit, don’t panic. We'll lend you £5 emergency credit. And we have advice on what to do if you have a fault on your Pay As You Go meter.

• The Energy Saving Trust – an independent trust has further details on a variety of grants and schemes that could help you keep you and your home warm.
• Nest - in Wales you could be eligible for help from Nest, the Welsh government's home energy efficiency scheme.
• Universal Home Insulation Scheme and Energy Assistance Package – in Scotland these schemes may be available to you.

What are the danger signs?

If you see any of these signs, you need to get the person medical attention immediately:

• Drowsiness, slurred speech or feeling confused
• Involuntary shivering, unsteady movement, cold hands and feet 
• A puffy, cold face
• The person feeling cold to the touch
• If the person’s temperature drops below 35°C (95°F), they’ll start to shiver violently and feel drowsy
• If the person’s temperature drops below 34°C (92°F), they’ll stop shivering, their muscles will become rigid and their pupils will dilate
• If the person’s temperature drops below 30°C (86°F), their breathing will become shallow or erratic and they’ll become unconsciousness

What can I do to help if I find someone with hypothermia?

• Move them to warmer surroundings or slowly increasing the temperature in their home
• Provide food. Hot liquid such as soup is good 
• Don’t use a hot water bottle or place them next to direct heat like a fire. Try and get them moving to increase blood flow
• Don’t let them drink alcohol

If you are worried that you can’t keep warm in your home, you must call us. We will do everything we can to help you. Please call us on 0345 071 9657^*.