Help to heat your home

Warm Homes Oldham

Our main scheme for helping households reduce their energy bills and stay warm in winter is Warm Homes Oldham.

You can contact our team, who will assess your situation and offer:

  • Advice on reducing energy use at home and using heating controls effectively
  • Oil-filled radiators in an emergency when you have no heating

We can refer you to schemes that do not accept direct applications from the public:

There are also schemes you can apply to yourself, but applying through us may mean you do not have to pay anything, depending on whether you meet the eligibility criteria:

  • Age UK Oldham – for furniture, minor adaptations, and repairs
    Email: info@ageukoldham.org.uk
  • GMCA ECO4 scheme – supports low-income and vulnerable households with free energy-efficiency measures to help reduce bills
  • LEAP Boiler Scheme – an alternative scheme for low-income and vulnerable households (formerly known as ECHO). Funding is limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Register

Warm Homes Registration Form

Before you start the application, make sure you have your Council Tax bill, your Universal Credit letter, and your energy bill. We need these documents to process your application.

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Contact

You can contact Warm Homes Oldham on:

  • 0161 770 7007

Energy Company Obligation Scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme that requires energy companies to help improve the energy efficiency of people’s homes.

The current phase of the scheme, called ECO4, runs until 31 March 2026.

We are working with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA), NHS Greater Manchester, 0800 Repair, and Improveasy to provide free energy-efficiency upgrades for Oldham residents. The service is free, and anything installed is yours to keep.

So far, more than 1,054 homes in Greater Manchester have received free improvements, saving households an average of £510 a year on energy bills.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 23 September 1958, you may be able to get help with your heating costs for winter 2025–2026. This is called a Winter Fuel Payment.

You might qualify if you or your partner receive certain benefits.

Cold Weather Payment

You may get a Cold Weather Payment if you’re getting certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest.

Get help with the cost of living from your local council

You may be able to get help with essential costs from your local council. This is sometimes known as ‘the Household Support Fund’. This could help if you’re struggling to afford things like food, essential items or paying your energy bills:

Help paying your water bill

Help and support to pay your water bill:

Extra Care Register

Help and advice on saving energy, information on power cuts and support if you have reached your state pension age, are disabled or have a long-term medical condition.

Practical advice to save on your energy bills

  • Get a smart meter to monitor your energy use and keep a track on appliances that are running your bills up.
  • Turn your temperature down on your thermostat. It sounds obvious, but it’s estimated that turning it down by even one degree could save you up to 10% on your bill.
  • If you have a condensing boiler (installed after 2005), you can adjust your flow temperature and save money. This is the dial with the radiator icon on the front of your boiler. Dial it down to 60°C or less if you have a newer property and your boiler will work more efficiently (condensing mode).
  • Bleed your radiators. If the top is cold, it’s not heating fully. You need a radiator key but once bled, your boiler won’t have to work as hard to keep your room warm.
  • Turn radiators off in rooms you’re not using and close the doors. This will help insulate your home.
  • Keep your internal doors shut and curtains closed – especially in rooms you’re not using.
  • If you’ve got laminate, wood or tiled floors, try and use a rug if you have one. Up to 10% of heat can be lost through your floors.
  • Not leaving appliances on standby could save up to £147 a year. These are things such as your TV, microwave or phone chargers which are all costing you money if you leave them plugged in.
  • Use LED bulbs. They use at least 75% less energy and last up to 25 times longer, than regular bulbs.
  • If you’re making a brew, only boil enough for the cups you’re making. Your kettle won’t need to work as hard so it’s cheaper to run.