So cold - help?

daveandjadea

My flat is constantly FREEZING.

I'm unemployed claiming JSA (may switch to ESA). Currently I'm paying for electricity via Fuel Direct so I'm left with £45 p/w to live on - as I owe my electricity company money (NPower) I can't switch to a cheaper supplier either. My gas is paid via PP meter, I'd estimate gas costs when used sparingly is £10 p/w, maybe more when cold.

My flat is a council flat - top floor, mid-block - the block is concrete, I seriously doubt it has any wall insulation, and I'm not sure it has any loft insulation as we can't access the loft. There is double glazing, however most of the draft comes from poor double glazing and dodgy French windows. I have gas central heating and an electric fire, both are constantly on and off as it's so cold but I get worried about cost! I have no carpeting...lino in living-room and bathroom, everywhere else the floor is bare.

People have mentioned that there should be something to help with my heating costs, but I'm not sure where to start - all I know is that I don't get Cold Weather Payments. Am I missing out on anything else?

How else could make my home warmer on such a small budget?

I normally block-off trickle vents with rags, use masking tape to tape around the windows, erm....I have aluminium foil behind the living-room radiator (lots of draft off this external wall). I think that's it, I'm not sure what else I could do without spending cash I don't have.

Any help?

Please feel free to provide useful links to other threads or sites.

Thank you!

whitewing

I find using a dehumidifier takes the chill out of the air. Look up some threads on here. It would be a long shot but possibly someone would have one on freecycle.

TamA

What a situation to be in.

I am not sure about the benefits side of things to help pay for more fuel but Curtains or blinds can help act as another barrier to stop the cold from the windows as they lose the most heat. The thicker the better. Draft excluders at the bottom of your door can also stop cold getting in to a certain room. Even a rolled up rug at the bottom of the door will do.

If you haven't done this already, are you able to switch off the radiators in every room except the room you spend the most time in? Perhaps only heat the living room? Having as much people in this room as possible will also help if you usually stay in different rooms to watch tv.

nickj_2

contact your coucil and see if they can help , also contact npower to see if they will do the insualtion for freehttp://www.npower.com/lp/insulation/

daggy

Sorry to hear about your situation.

You should try your best to use your gas central heating instead of the fire as electricity is more expensive/ Having said that, if you're only in the room that the fire is in, it may be cheaper to heat just that room... maybe somebody with more knowledge could elaborate? You could post a thread in DIY asking which is cheaper.

Here's the link to the .gov website advising you what you can get to help... click me

A warm front grant could help, but I see no mention of JSA in the eligibility part...

Grants are available for improvements such as:
loft insulation
draughtproofing
cavity wall insulation
hot water tank insulation
gas, electric, liquid petroleum gas or oil heating
glass-fronted fire - the Warm Front scheme can convert your solid-fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire

I know it's obvious, but try to wrap up in warm clothes whilst indoors.

ormus

most/all of those grants do not apply to council flats or HA flats.

pmlindyloo

I don't know all your details but am wondering if you might be eligible for the Warm Front tariffs?

See here:

http://www.consumerfocus.org.uk/files/2011/11/Consumer-Focus-briefing-on-the-Warm-Home-Discount-updated.pdf

Scroll down until you find your supplier and see what help they offer and to whom.

Some useful telephone numbers to contact.
Hope this helps.

Eenymeeny

Loads of cheap (or free!) ideas on the Preparing For Winter thread : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3519771 also take a look at 'what worked and didn't work last winter' Be warned, it'll take a long time to wade through it! Hot water bottles, fleeces and thick dressing gowns are my most used weapons! Good luck:)

spannerzone

Dressing with multiple layers seems blindingly obvious and yet many people seem to wear t-shirt and shorts in their homes.....it's not elegant but thick socks, several t-shirts, sweater and such like can be the cheapest solution!

and don't sit at a PC or TV for hours on end, that really makes me feel cold!

Hello123_2

Simple things really like wear a few thin layers of clothing & socks/slippers, keep active (eg dont sit down for hours you will freeze!), If you are watching tv put a throw or blanket over you, drink hot drinks, block drafts, keep doors & windows closed, use your heating wisely eg heat the house in the morning for an hour or 2, then put on low around 4ish, get into bed a little earlier whilst still warm, use a wood burner, remember people survived years ago without heating so we can :-) Also take other peoples advice, see if you can get more benefits.

daveandjadea

This seems to be the problem;
A. I don't seem to be eligible for any benefits or grants.
B. I can't afford warmer clothing, curtains, etc.
Guess I've done about all I can, I'm likely going to have to take a dip in payments to get a budget loan.

Thanks anyway guys/gals