Pendle Borough Council
Market Street, Nelson, Lancashire BB9 7LG
Tel: 01282 661661 Fax: 01282 661130
Beat Fuel Poverty
What is it? How we can help?
A fuel poor household is one which needs to spend more than 10% of its income on fuel for all uses (heating, hot water, cooking, lighting. and electrical appliances).
This does not just refer to those on low incomes, but also to people who live in hard-to-heat homes (pre 1919 & terraced houses) or live in a property that too big for their needs.
Effects on Health
- Poor quality housing causes fuel poverty
- Inadequately heated homes are linked to ill health and early deaths; the Uk suffers more excess winter deaths than colder countries with an average of 30,000 deaths every year
- People living in cold and damp conditions suffer more from common illnesses, with elderly people and young children being particularly at risk.
- Hard to heat homes cause and worsen many medical conditions. The health effects of cold homes include asthma, respiratory diseases, depression, strokes and heart attacks, hypothermia and increased falls and accidents in the home.
Living in a house that is cold and damp is bad for your health!
By raising the energy efficiency of a property the house becomes cheaper to heat, easier to maintain a comfortable temperature and is less likely to be harmful to the health of its occupants.
Pendle has various schemes available to help residents save energy, reduce fuel costs and keep warmer. Discounted and free measures are available. Contact the Energy Efficiency Officer for advice and information about how you could benefit.
Please ring Heather at Colne Town Hall or send an e-mail to heather.shaw@pendle.gov.uk
