Residents urged to use ‘life-changing’ service

A Coalville resident who has received ‘life changing’ help is urging others in a similar situation to do the same.

Michael, 43, was referred to Leicestershire County Council’s Warm Homes service last year, after a problem with his heating controls and misunderstanding about his gas prepayment meter led to him having his gas supply stopped altogether. To heat his home, he had to use portable electric heaters which were expensive to run.

Within three days, the warm homes officer contacted Michael to arrange a visit and helped him liaise with his energy supplier and local authority to clear the debt and allow his gas to be uncapped and central heating repaired. 

Michael said: “I was using a lot of electricity and was stuck in a vicious cycle, not knowing how to resolve it. The help I received meant I was able to afford to keep warm during last year’s terrible winter and I haven’t had to use the electric heaters again. My home is much more comfortable now that my central heating is working.”

As well has helping Michael with getting his gas turned back on, the warm homes officer also identified several discounts and benefits to help Michael keep on top of his energy payments. 

He added: “The Warm Homes Service has been life changing and I have recommended it to a number of friends.”

In its first year, the Warm Homes Service has provided more than 1,000 Leicestershire households with free, impartial advice to help them stay warm at home and keep their energy bills down.

Many of these households have benefited from support to switch energy supplier.  On average these households have saved £233 a year with the highest saving for a single household being £1,341 a year.

In addition 664 households have been helped to access grants, benefits and energy discounts to help make heating their home more affordable.

We are delighted that our Warm Homes service has helped so many households keep their homes warm this year. However, many Leicestershire residents are still on the most expensive energy tariffs, and as energy prices are on the rise nationally we hope that more people will access our support.

Person:Councillor Pam Posnett, cabinet member for health and wellbeing

Residents can also benefit from: 

• Help understanding boiler and heating controls;

• Help making sense of energy bills and bill discounts;

• Debt relief support;

• Energy efficiency advice; and

• Referrals to other relevant services. 

The Warm Homes service is available all year round, even during the summer months and switching to a cheaper energy tariff will save you money at any time of year.

People who would benefit from advice on energy costs can contact the Warm Homes service on 0116 305 4286.