Help with Heating Costs

zekitteh

Hi, My first post here, although Ive been reading for a while.

Firstly, I'd like to say I've searched a bit on here to see if I could find anything regarding my question, but I'm not sure there is a straight answer as such which is why I'm posting.

I live in a one bedroom ground floor flat which is very old and a conversion from a house, although it isnt as romantic as it sounds. It is literally falling apart. I have central heating here which according to the last visit by the plumber/gas technician should be condemned. It is alos far too expensive and I cant afford to use the boiler for anything other than hot water. I'm on JSA at present and can only afford to top up the gas with £10 a month and £20 a fortnight for electricity [both prepay meters]. I have a 4 fin oil filled radiator which I use in my bedroom where I live for the most part but this is also expensive and can only be used for a few hours each day, and as you can imagine, with there being no insulation the heat just bleeds away.

There is dampness in my living room and at present the temperature inside my house is 2 degrees.C.

Unfortunately it hasnt been below freezing yet so there have been no cold weather payments.

I have blankets stuffed at the base of my door, i have stapled the curtains to the walls, and when I am home I live inside my sleeping bag.

My landlord does not reply to my messages [I can only text as its the lowest tariff available].

I have visited the energy saving websites and as far as I can see nothing is really helpful in the short term. I was close to tears last night and I'm usually quite resilient!

I live in Scotland. Is there any help available to me?

Thanks,

zekitteh

HappyMJ

You need to pay off any outstanding debt on your meters and switch to a better tariff. If you are heating one room at a time then a standard rate Ebico tariff may be a good choice for a low user such as yourself. Although it may appear as the best tariff it will save you only £1 per week. You need to reduce usage and get the place insulated or move somewhere else. However anywhere you move I doubt you will get much heat for £10 monthly on the gas and £40 on the electric. Even if you were currently on Ebico you would only get 2,500kWh of gas and 3,300kWh of electricity per year.

zekitteh

Hi HappyMJ,

Thanks for replying Unfortunately my landlord will not change or let me change the suppliers or tariffs. Both gas and electricity accounts are in his name.

HappyMJ

zekitteh wrote: »

Hi HappyMJ,

Thanks for replying Unfortunately my landlord will not change or let me change the suppliers or tariffs. Both gas and electricity accounts are in his name.

If you are a tenant (not a lodger) then take over the accounts and change away. Your landlord has no right to impose a supplier or tariff on you unless your landlord lives in the same property and you are a lodger.

good_advice

Hi Zek -we are going through another cold snap and it is Brrrr....
Insulate yourself with thermal t.shirt and leggings under your clothes. Ware hat, scarf and gloves when you go out.
Invest in a hot water bottle.
Spend some time away from home in the warmth of the library. Use their computer and read the papers...see if their is a free course you can go on?
Keep active and moving

Take care.

[Deleted User]

I fully understand and I reckon there are many people in this position struggling to pay for heating - I rang BG last year practically in tears as I live in a very draughty Victorian conversion as well , I must admit it is beautiful with the high ceilings , large rooms and fireplace etc but it is an absolute NIGHTMARE to heat

I too stuffed every crevice with bubble wrap , nailed sheets to the windows to try and keep some warmth in and live in my bedroom every winter as well

As mine is a council place I am looking for a mutual exchange and hope that whoever takes this place can afford to heat it as it is a lovely place for a family who can afford it but I am on my own on benefit as well at the moment..

I wear socks and slippers and thermals and look extremely sexy in my beige slanket! lol :rotfl:

Sorry - Just trying to keep my spirits up this year until I move as have had enough of the winter struggles to keep warm and being able to AFFORD to keep warm

My sister has no heating on at ALL sometimes and I didn't even know people had to live like that as even though I struggle I REFUSE to be without heating altogether even if I have it on low as surely even if you are on benefit you have a right to warmth , food and a roof over your head even though with the fuel costs it can be a choice between eating or keeping warm which is what I told BG but they referred me to some 'schemes' none of which were of any help to be honest and I just have to do my best and if it gets really bad my DD tells me to come and stay with her , which is lovely , as her flat is SO well insulated and cozy plus she is an amazing cook! lol

I don't know what to say especially as Scotland must be SOOOO much colder than London where I am and I really HOPE that fuel costs DO go DOWN as this 'recent' promise of them going down I have not noticed one little bit in fact mine are going up and up on a weekly basis it seems and of course we are in a cold spell at the moment

I actually can't wait to MOVE somewhere smaller and cozier and for spring to arrive of course as have had 3 or 4 really hard winters here and it does get to you somewhat even if you are of a naturally cheerful disposition! xx