What is Affordable Warmth?

'Affordable Warmth' is the ability to heat your home to an adequate level for household comfort and health without incurring financial hardship.  A fuel poor household is one that needs to spend in excess of 10% of its income on fuel to maintain a satisfactory heating regime.

Achieving affordable warmth for all of our residents requires a complex strategic approach, involving partnership working between all relevant agencies.  A multi-agency Affordable Warmth for Swindon Steering Group has been formed and an Affordable Warmth for Swindon Strategy and Action Plan has been adopted by the Primary Care Trust and Swindon Borough Council.  Affordable Warmth is a key issue in Swindon Borough Council's Local Area Agreement.

Follow this link to download the Affordable Warmth Strategy Affordable Warmth Strategy.

Follow this link to web pages relating to Swindon's Local Area Agreement:  Local Area Agreement.

• Improving the energy efficiency of your home will help you to benefit from the heat you are buying as up to 30% of this is lost through un-inusulated walls and 25% through a poorly insulated loft.  Grants and discounts are available for this. Follow these links to the Council's grants pages; Grants
• Ensure that you are on the best tariff for your needs and consider changing suppliers.
• Ensure that you maximise your income by claiming any state benefits you may be entitled to.

Fuel Debt

If you are in fuel debt do talk to your supplier.
We are working with the Bristol Debt Advice Centre, who can offer advice on fuel and other debts.  Please follow this link to their web pages:  Bristol Debt Advice Centre.

Useful Contacts

Swindon Borough Council Home Energy Conservation Officer; 01793 466100 (Tues-Thurs), alison.robinson@swindon.gov.uk

The Warm Front Team; www.warmfront.co.uk, 0800 3162814

Wiltshire Energy Advice Centre; www.wiltshirewildlife.org., 0800 512012

Energy Saving Trust, Act on CO2 site.

Department of Work & Pensions; www.dwp.gov.uk.

Winter Fuel Payment Helpline; 0845 9151515.

Citizen Advice Centre; www.citizensadvice.org.uk

• Please download the following Service Request Form (in pdf format) if you would like us to contact you, to notify us of an issue you are concerned about, or to request a service from us:   SERVICE REQUEST FORM DOWNLOAD