Everyone should be able to live in a warm and healthy home. Unfortunately a lot of housing, especially older housing, in the UK is not energy efficient, with heat being lost through walls, roofs and single glazed windows. This makes heating our homes expensive and can also lead to health problems from cold and damp.
The good news is there is a lot we can all do to keep our bills down and make our homes warmer. There is also a range of support available for installing energy efficiency measures including grant schemes and low interest loans.
On this page, you’ll find information to help you manage your heating bills and stay warm and well at home this winter.
You can also find lots of useful information in our Community Guide leaflet:
Fairer Warmth
Fairer Warmth is an online tool designed to help people save energy, access local and national grant funding for home improvements and get support with keeping your home warm and dry.
The platform, created by the Centre for Energy Equality, offers a new way to access the services provided by the Healthy Homes team, which include energy advice, retrofit assessments and home visits from specially trained volunteers. It also hosts articles on topics including different types of insulation and heating systems, their cost, environmental impact, potential cost saving to you, and more.
Winter Warmth Packs
Frome Town Council and Frome Renewable Energy Co-operative have joined together through the Healthy Homes project to provide winter warmth packs for anyone in Frome struggling to stay warm.
The pack contains a black scarf, hat, gloves, thermal blanket & socks, a thermos mug and information on how to access advice and support.
If you know someone who could benefit from a pack or if you would like one yourself, please visit the reception at Frome Town Hall (Monday-Friday 9am – 4:30pm). Or pop along to either the Talking Cafes or Talking Benches run by Health Connections Mendip.
Energy Saving Kit
Our energy saving kits may help you save money and make your home more energy efficient. The kit contains a radiator key, fridge/freezer thermometers, room temperature/humidity monitors and energy usage monitors. With handy instructions on how to use each item to help you lower your energy bills and carbon footprint. The kits can be borrowed from SHARE.
Energy saving kits are funded by Frome Renewable Energy Co-op and put together by Frome Town Council.
Try our Winter Home Health Check
Ten things you can check at home to put yourself in the best position to stay warm and well this winter:
If you’d like a printed copy, pop into the Town Hall or contact Jo Morris by email or on 01373 488579
Insulate your home
There are a range of grants available for lower income or hard-to-heat households to install insulation measures.
Use the Government’s energy grants calculator to see whether you are eligible for support: www.simpleenergyadvice.org.uk/energy-efficiency/reduce-bills
Alternatively you can call the free helpline on 0800 082 2234 to talk to a specialist energy advisor at the Centre for Sustainable Energy. They can give you impartial advice, grant information and practical ideas specific to you and your home.
Financial Support
Somerset Household Support Fund
The Somerset Household Support Fund is offering short term financial support to households struggling with the cost of essentials (food, energy, water bills etc) through winter.
One person per household can apply directly through the website, where they will be asked for ID and proof of Somerset address and may be asked for bank statements, proof income or benefits etc. as part of the application process.
To be eligible:
You must live in the county of Somerset
You will be over the age of 16 and living independently of parents or carers
You are struggling to pay for essentials because you don’t have enough money to pay for them
You can provide the required proof of your identity, Somerset residency and proof of your income (the most recent, last month’s, bank statement)
A voucher will be issued to eligible individuals or households that can be used in all the main supermarkets, with energy companies and to purchase essential items and appliances.
Alternative Fuel Payment
From early 2023 households that use alternative fuels like heating oil and people without a direct relationship to an energy supplier can apply online for support with the energy bills via the Alternative Fuel Payment fund. Those living in care homes, caravan parks, houseboats, homes supplied through private wires, social rented homes, farmers and households living off-grid will be eligible.
Talk to the experts
Call the free helpline on 0800 082 2234 to talk to a specialist energy advisor at the Centre for Sustainable Energy. They can give you impartial advice, grant information and practical ideas specific to you and your home.
