Our Energy Team is here to help you with energy saving tips that are not only easy to carry out but can reward you with big savings.

  1. Table of contents

Home Energy Scotland

To check if you qualify for any benefits or to get advice about insulation grants or different energy tariffs, you can call Home Energy Scotland for free impartial energy advice:

Home Energy Scotland

They also give advice on saving energy in your home, how to make your home warmer and save money, renewable energy technologies, waste prevention and much more.

More information on other Energy Grants and Support can be found on our Energy Grants page.


Do you need help using your heating system?

When you move into a new house it's not always easy to know how to use your heating system.

Energy Saving Trust have produced short videos giving you clear advice on how to use your electric storage heating or gas central heating.

For further information and advice you can visit the Energy Saving Trust website.

Electric wet system

The wet electric heating systems page has information on the recent communications issued to all residents in off-gas villages.


Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO) energy grants

A one-off grant of £200 will be available for 2022 for former coal miners, their partners or widows, who are identified as being particularly vulnerable due to being on a low income.

Eligibility criteria will also require the former mineworker to have had 10 years' service in the coal mining industry, or for the last place of work to have been in the industry, to be living in their own home and be responsible for paying for energy costs. Only one grant is available per household.

This grant is in direct response to the price rises that will see millions of people having to pay around £700 more each year to heat their homes.

We know that former miners may be suffering from health issues, poor mobility and managing on low incomes, and they may be disproportionately impacted by the changes.

The grant is part of our wider support offer for those previously employed in the coal industry with regards to energy costs, alongside our service offer on a range of issues as outlined below.

Anyone referred will be contacted by CISWO's personal welfare team who will support them to get the help they are entitled to. As well as the CISWO grant, they will help people to access various support schemes and initiatives from the Government and other charities, and provide advice on how to stay warm, and reduce energy bills where possible. The team will also be on hand to provide other support on offer from CISWO for former coal miners and their dependants, including:

  • Confidential home visiting service
  • Advocacy, information, advice and guidance
  • Advice on welfare benefits and support with applications
  • Support with applications for industrial injury claims and industry related compensation schemes
  • Emotional support
  • Support with caring responsibilities
  • End of life planning
  • Access to mobility equipment and advice
  • Support to reduce loneliness and isolation
  • Access to holidays and convalescence

If you require any further details, please contact:

Coal Industry Social Welfare Organisation (CISWO)

Energy saving tips

Here are some handy tips that you can do for free to help you save energy and money.

  1. Table of contents

Doors

Close the door when you leave a room. It stops the warm air escaping.

Curtains

Close your curtains when it gets dark to keep heat in and the cold out.

Radiators

Don't put furniture or curtains in front of radiators. They will absorb the heat and stop it warming the room. If you have storage heaters, remember to close the damper or output dial (sometimes called the boost) before you go to bed or if you go out during the day.

Thermostats

By turning your room thermostat down one degree you can save 10% on your fuel bill without noticing any difference in your comfort. The recommended temperature for a living room is 21C. Set your hot water thermostat at 60C.

Only heat your hot water for the hours you need it. It is more expensive to leave it on all day. Set your thermostatic radiator valves higher in the rooms you use and lower in the rooms you don't use.

Electrical appliances

Don't keep electrical appliances on standby because they still use energy. Turn them fully off when you’re not using them.

Cooking

Put lids on pots when cooking. The food cooks quicker which saves energy and less moisture is released into the kitchen. If you have a gas cooker, keep the tip of the gas flame under the pan. The heat is in the tip not the side of the flame.

Kettle

Only fill your kettle up with as much water as you need. But for safety remember to cover the element.

Washing

Hang washing outside wherever possible rather than using your tumble dryer. Tumble dryers use a large amount of energy. Use your 'half load' or 'economy' setting on your washing machine when you do not have a full load of washing.