Households Urged To Act Now For Wintry Conditions

With warnings of potential snowfalls in the coming weeks, the Power NI Combat Winter campaign is designed to provide customers with practical energy saving information, advice and tips to help reduce bills during the winter months. Power NI is calling on homes to act early to get their homes insulated to help tackle energy lost during the winter months. Aine Bloomer from Power NI explained that now was the time for households to prepare for cooler months and ensure they can save money on energy use. She stated: “The simple fact is that most homes are not performing as well as they should be and as temperatures plummet, energy will be wasted and money lost. By acting now to check your needs and gear up for the colder snap, smart homeowners will avoid risking their warmth this winter. “Getting your house in order doesn’t have to cost the earth and there are a wide range of support options available from Power NI. The Combat Winter campaign is about making sure homeowners and tenants are fully equipped to tackle the challenges of the colder months. We understand that people use more energy at this time of year, but small steps mean they won’t pay for more than is needed to make a home comfortable.” Included in the Combat Winter campaign is an easy-to-use online Home Energy Check service that evaluates the design, energy needs and existing insulation of each home to generate practical and tailored tips that can slash energy bills. Households across Northern Ireland have also been reminded that boilers should be serviced annually to ensure they work efficiently and safely. A team of qualified Power NI engineers are equipped to deliver a thorough 15-point check up and repairs service, and also to provide the peace of mind with a service certificate. To mark the launch of Combat Winter, Power NI is offering customers a low-cost package that includes boiler servicing and a carbon monoxide monitor to help keep homes safe and cosy this winter. The Combat Winter campaign offers a number of smart energy saving tips including: By installing cavity wall insulation you could save up to £115 off your energy bill while installing loft insulation could save you up to £150 off Spread the cost of your electricity into smaller monthly payments and save up to £40 a year or by signing up to Quarterly Direct Debit you could save up to £26 a year. A regular serviced boiler will make your boiler more efficient which will help you save money on your energy bills as heating accounts for almost 60% of what you spend every year on energy bills. Look out for energy labels that show how efficient new appliances are. Buying an ‘A’ rated appliance, for example, costs around £35 less per year to run than ‘E’ rated ones. Where possible use the energy saving cycles on washing machines and tumble dryers. It will cost less to run, helping you to reduce your energy bill and fight climate change. Upgrade to energy saving light bulbs. They use 80% less electricity, last 10 times longer and typically save around £3 per year. Save energy by washing your clothes, except the dirtiest jobs, at lower temperatures. Modern soaps and detergents work just as well at lower heat. Don’t leave devices such as microwaves, TVs, phone chargers or game consoles on standby – they can use up to £100 worth of electricity a year. Only boil the amount of water you need when using kettles. For more advice and tips how to save money and energy this winter with Power NI visit www.powerni.co.uk/winter or call 0800 0321 894.