��Our Future Beeston�Energy Saving Handbook

19/02/2022

SAVE MONEY – SAVE THE PLANET

What is Our Future Beeston?

Email: ourfuturebeeston@gmail.com – Call: 07543 421 520

Our Future Beeston community centred project to help get Beeston residents involved with tackling climate change and improving the local environment.

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It’s part of the wider Climate Action Leeds project, working across the city for real change.

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We want to hear your ideas for Beeston, so please contact James to share your thoughts and to find out more.

“We are a people-powered movement to create a zero carbon, socially just, and nature friendly Leeds”

Contents

• 4 – Introduction
• 5 – Saving Water
• 7 – Water Meters
• 8 – Help with Water Bills
• 10 – Saving Gas & Electricity
• 13 – Smart Meters
• 14 – Schemes Available
• 15 – Energy Bill Support
• 17- Fuel Debt Support

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• 18 – Regularly compare suppliers
• 19- Priority Services Registers
• 20 – Tenants Rights
• 21 – Better Homes Yorkshire Grants
• 22 – Solar Factsheet
• 23– Climate Anxiety
• 24 – Climate Action Leeds

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3

Save Energy, Save Money,�Save the Planet

• The cost of living crisis means that people across the country are struggling to afford the basic essentials
• We are all considering how and where we can save money
• Domestic fuel bills have risen up to 54% - 14 times more than the average pay rise
• The Government have some help in place but this may not go far enough, and claiming can be confusing and time consuming
• This handbook gives advice on how to save energy and money, as well as what help is available to cover costs
• All the figures are averages from Energy Saving Trust, based on a 2-3 bed house. Figures are accurate as of Autumn 2022.

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4

Saving Water�DID YOU KNOW…

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TURNING THE TAP OFF WHILE BRUSHING YOUR TEETH CAN SAVE 6 LITRES OF WATER PER MINUTE

SHORTER SHOWERS: 1 MINUTE OFF EVERY SHOWER CAN SAVE £35 A YEAR. SHORTER SHOWERS WILL ALSO SAVE MONEY ON GAS!

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Fitting a low-flow shower head or flow regulators could save £55/year

Low-cost ways to save

Flushing the toilet uses 9 litres of water. Fitting a cistern displacement device can reduce the amount of water, and can be as simple as a brick or an old plastic bottle

Use a water butt to water the garden or wash the car

Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe

WATER COMPANIES SOMETIMES GIVE AWAY FREE CONSERVATION EQUIPMENT

If your shower takes time to heat up, catch the cold water in a bucket and use it to flush the toilet or water your plants

Water Meters

• A water meter means you only pay for the water you use
• Water rates are based on the number of bedrooms. Generally if you have less people than bedrooms, you’ll save money with a meter
• Water companies now allow you to trial a meter for up to 2 years, so if you don’t see the benefit or circumstances change, you can have it removed
• Average costs with a meter:

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Help Paying Water Bills�www.yorkshirewater.com/help-paying-your-bill

• WaterSure Scheme

If you have a water meter, claim an income-based benefit, claim Universal Credit and need to use extra water because you have a medical condition or three or more children, you might be able to get help with the WaterSure scheme

This caps your bill at £421.42 this year, but as it’s metered, if you use less, you pay less

• Water Support Scheme

If you have a low household income and your annual water bill is more than £421, you might be able to get help with the WaterSupport scheme

It’s different to WaterSure as it’s based purely on income, and you don’t need a meter fitted

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Help Paying Water Bills�www.yorkshirewater.com/help-paying-your-bill

• Water Direct

If you receive a deductible income-based benefit, we can take payments directly from your benefits. Less hassle, less worry!

You can arrange payments through Yorkshire Water by calling:

0345 1299 299

• Arrears/debts

If you’re struggling to catch up on previous water bills, the Resolve scheme could help you be debt-free so you can continue paying your water bill in affordable amounts

Community Trust Funds can also wipe debts up to £5000

You can also arrange a payment holiday

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LIGHTBULB MOMENT…�Saving Electricity

• Turning off lights = £19/year saving
• Installing low energy bulbs = £50/year saving
• Defrost fridges and freezers to ensure fans can regulate temperature efficiently
• Keep fridges/freezers full, as solid items stay cold longer than empty space. A bag of ice is perfect for this and the appliance kicks in less as a result

• Unplugging appliances when not in use could save up to 23% of your yearly bill
• Washing at 30 instead of 40 uses 40% less energy.
• Ensure you have a full load before putting a wash on, this saves electricity and water!
• Hang clothes outside or on an airer when possible - tumble dryers cost around £200/year to run

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UNPLUG AND SAVE!

23% of the energy we pay for is used by appliances running in the background

KEEP WARM, SAVE MONEY

• SET THE THERMOSTAT BETWEEN 18-21 DEGREES
• SAVE £105 FOR EVERY 1 DEGREE YOU TURN IT DOWN ACROSS THE YEAR
• SET TIMERS TO MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR HEATING
• TURN RADIATOR TRV’s DOWN IN ROOMS YOU USE LESS
• CLOSE CURTAINS & BLINDS TO KEEP HEAT IN AT NIGHT

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LOW COST DIY STEPS �TO A WARMER HOME

• REFLECTIVE PANELS BEHIND RADIATORS - Cost: £7 for a 4m roll – Saving: £25/Yr. These can reflect 50% of the heat which would be lost into the wall, back into the room
• SEAL OFF UNUSED CHIMNEYS – Cost: £10-£20 – Saving: £65/Yr (40m3 warm air per hour escapes up open chimneys. This creates draughts meaning warm air needs replacing)
• DRAUGHT PROOFING DOORS & WINDOWS: Cost from £1 - Saving: £45/Yr
• USE AIRER TO DRY LAUNDRY: Cost from £10 – Radiators aren’t blocked, Reduces Condensation, Avoids tumble dryer saving up to £200 per year

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12

Smart Meters�What are the facts?

There is some confusion around smart meters:

• You won’t save money just by having one
• Automatic meter readings mean you pay for what you use, with no more estimates and less hassle
• You can see in £££ how much you are using, and how much you save when you turn things off!

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• You can set target budgets
• Great to teach children about energy saving and encourage conservation behaviours
• Easily view the credit/debit status of your account
• Contact your supplier to discuss further or arrange to have a smart meter fitted

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HELP PAYING YOUR ENERGY BILLS AND MAXIMISING EFFICIENCY �WHAT HELP IS AVAILABLE?

• WARM HOMES DISCOUNT
• WINTER FUEL PAYMENT
• BOILER REPAIR GRANT SCHEME
• BETTER HOMES YORKSHIRE
• MONEY ADVICE SERVICE
• ENERGY COMPANY OBLIGATIONS (ECO/ECOFLEX)
• ENERGY SUPPLIER TRUST FUNDS
• GREEN HOMES GRANT
• WATER BILL CAP FOR HEALTH ISSUES OR LOW-INCOME

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ENERGY BILL PAYMENT SUPPORT

What support is available to help pay rising costs?

HELP PAYING YOUR ENERGY BILLS

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FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR �FUEL DEBTS

Always contact your supplier first, as they can arrange payment plans

Regularly Compare Suppliers

• It’s important to check you’re on the best tariff for your energy
• Even if your bill says ‘you’re on our best deal’, there may be another company who can offer it cheaper
• Weigh up the pros & cons of switching; are there early exit fees, what’s the payment method, customer service options with new provider – is it all online, is the price variable, what’s the length of the contract?
• Simply Switch and Citizens Advice Comparison Tool give free and impartial results, meaning there aren’t any sponsored adverts.
• Simply Switch also have a phone number if you prefer to call: 0800 011 1395

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Priority Services Registers

• Utility providers offer Priority Services Registers for vulnerable customers
• You will be notified of any disruption to the services e.g. a power cut, given regular updates and any support you need until it’s back to normal
• These are especially targeted at older people, anyone with health conditions or disabilities, people with medical equipment requiring electricity or water, and people with medication which needs to be kept in the fridge
• Northern Powergrid operate the energy network and have their own PSR
• Yorkshire Water have a PSR
• Your supplier may also have a similar register to join for priority notifications

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Your Rights as a Tenant �Council, Housing Association and Private Tenants often face difficulty getting essential work carried out

• Shelter and Citizens Advice can give free expert advice when you have a dispute
• The landlord must have a Gas Safe engineer service your boiler annually
• If your boiler is faulty, you have poor insulation or something breaks down, the landlord must repair or improve it.
• Housing Association tenants should have a support worker assigned to assess any issues and help with the process of getting issues resolved
• Grants for private owners are often the same grants available to private landlords, but landlords may have to contribute financially towards any work
• Housing Associations and Councils should run their own schemes and do any work which is required

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Better Homes Yorkshire

Homeowners, private tenants and landlords will be able to install energy-saving technology completely free of charge (alternative schemes for social housing tenants)

Email: ourfuturebeeston@gmail.com – Call:07543 421 520

Availability varies by local council

Solar: Facts and Benefits

Is solar right for you?

South facing, unshaded rooftops are ideal, but almost any house can have solar fitted. You can arrange a survey of your house through Better Homes Yorkshire, to check if your property is suitable

ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH:�how to beat climate anxiety

45% of young people say worrying about climate change affects their daily life

Climate anxiety is a reasonable response to a real, existential threat

Birth-rates are down because people are thinking twice about the impact that having children has on the planet, and the state of world they will grow up in

Do your bit, start feeling better:

Adopt energy saving behaviour

Get a reusable cup or bottle to reduce waste

Use public transport, lift-share or cycle to school or work

It doesn’t need to be perfect, millions doing a little is better than a handful doing a lot

Volunteer with a climate charity and campaign for change

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