Ballymena Borough Council | Energy Fuel Poverty

Definition
Fuel Poverty is the term used to describe the situation whereby a household is required to spend more than 10% of their income on household fuel bills.

The Problem
The extent of fuel poverty in the Mid-Antrim area has been steadily increasing at a staggering rate over the past 10 years from 28% of households being considered ‘fuel poor’ in 2001 to 35% in 2006 and up to 43% in 2009. This is just below the Northern Ireland average of 44% with almost one in every two households in the country experiencing Fuel Poverty
Causes
Three main causes of Fuel Poverty have been identified:

low incomes
energy inefficiency
rising cost of fuel

The risks
Living in a cold damp home often directly causes poor health and well-being and can be a contributing factor to specific conditions such as: Stroke coronary heart disease asthma respiratory illness Compromised mental health social exclusion The cold puts a strain on the body and every year in Northern Ireland there is around 800 excess winter deaths as a direct result of the cold, with many more becoming ill.

Who is at risk?
The most recent figures suggest that the highest rates of fuel poverty are found amongst older retired people, those not in work and those living in isolated rural dwellings. Since these patterns have not significantly changed since 2006 and only the numbers have increased we can see that overall influencing factors such as the current economic downturn and the rising fuel prices since then must have had their part to play in the increasing extent of fuel poverty in Northern Ireland.

What can you do to protect yourself?
Take measures to ensure your home is adequately heated, well ventilated, and free from damp and severe draughts. (click to find out more about Grants and assistance available to insulate your home) Keep an eye on room temperatures. Ensure your room thermostat is set to 21o C in living rooms and 18o C in all other rooms. Babies who are wrapped up in blankets can be kept in rooms at 18o C. Keep warmly dressed in cold weather by taking time to wrap up before you go out in the cold (hats, gloves, scarf and a good warm overcoat) and ensuring that you wear warm clothes (light layers such as vests work well) or a blanket while you sitting at home for long periods during cold weather.

What help is available?
With so many unclaimed benefits it is worth finding out if there is extra income available to you by getting a Benefit Entitlement Check. There are number of local agencies that can help you with this or you can request a check with Warm Homes or NIE using the links below or use Access to Benefits anonymous online calculator to check for yourself.
http://www.warm-homes.com/Application-Form/Benefit-Entitlement-Check.aspx
http://www.nieenergy.co.uk/index.php/my-home/help-available/benefit-entitlement-check/#730
To help you budget for your home heating oil Ballymena has an Oil stamps saving scheme.
For other help making your home warmer there are Grants and assistance available for central heating and insulation measures.