Get your home ready for winter

Get your home ready for winter

Wales' older people should start getting their homes ready for winter now before the weather turns colder.

That’s according to the charity Age Cymru.

Age Cymru’s Healthy Ageing Manager, Claire Bottomley says:

“We will all want to be warm this winter and this is why it is so important to be ready and prepared for the colder weather when it arrives.

“There are some basic things that older people should be doing now such as making sure that their central heating systems have been serviced and are working properly.

“Age Cymru would also encourage all older people in Wales to find out and apply for grants and schemes that will help keep their homes warm and properly insulated.

The call has been mirrored by the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES), which can offer home heating and insulation improvement grants to over 60s.

HEES is managed by Eaga Cymru on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government.

Eaga Cymru Director, Wendy Marinos, advises:

“Now is the best time to apply for a HEES grant, prior to the onset of cold in the winter. Improving the energy efficiency of your home can make significant savings- not only to reducing your carbon emissions and helping the environment, but more importantly, saving money on your fuel bills.

“As the application process can take some weeks to complete, we are encouraging householders to check their heating now, and if there is a problem, to phone HEES on 0800 316 2815 to see if assistance can be provided in time for the winter months”.