'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.

Benefits of Improving Energy Efficiency

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.

npower Health Through Warmth

npower Health Through Warmth is a practical scheme that aims to help vulnerable people whose health is adversely affected by cold, damp living conditions by facilitating the appropriate installation of energy efficiency and heating measures.

This is achieved by offering training sessions to key community workers who can then identify the links between housing and health and refer people at risk.

Swindon is one of 14 areas across England and Wales where Health Through Warmth operates.

For more information see the Health Through Warmth website (www.healththroughwarmth.com) or phone them on 01793 429292.

Costing Tips

Grants and discounts are available. Please see 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, it is important to talk to your supplier.

The council is working with the Bristol Debt Advice Centre, who can offer advice on fuel and other debts.

Please see the Bristol Debt Advice Centre website (www.bdac.org.uk).

How to Get Help

To notify us of an issue you are concerned about, or to request a service from us, please complete our request form, which is available as a downloadable PDF file:

Housing Assistance Service Request Form (32 kb)

Further Information/Useful Contacts

Affordable Warmth Strategy

This is available as a downloadable PDF file:

Affordable Warmth Strategy (528Mb)

Swindon Local Area Agreement (LAA)

See the Swindon LAA website (www.swindonlaa.org.uk).

Swindon Borough Council Home Energy Conservation Officer

Please phone 01793 466100 (Tuesday to Thursday), or e-mail: alison.robinson@swindon.gov.uk.

Warm Front

Please see the Warmfront website (www.warmfront.co.uk) or phone 0800 3162814.

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust

See the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust website (www.wiltshirewildlife.org) or phone them on 0800 512012.

Energy Saving Trust

See the Energy Saving Trust, Act on CO2 site (www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/what_can_i_do_today/energy_saving_grants_and_offers).

Winter Fuel Payments

Please phone the Helpline on 0845 9151515.

Citizen Advice Centre

See the Citizens Advice Centre website (www.citizensadvice.org.uk).