Help to heat your home

Keeping warm isn't just about comfort. Living in a cold home can affect your health, especially if you're older, have young children, have a long-term health condition or care for someone who is vulnerable.

There are some simple things you can do to help keep yourself and your home warm:

  • Heat your home to around 18°C if possible, especially the rooms you use most.
  • Wear several thin layers of clothing rather than one thick layer to help keep warm.
  • Close curtains at dusk, block draughts and keep doors closed to keep heat in.
  • Have hot meals and drinks to help keep your body warm.
  • Check your heating and boiler before cold weather arrives.

Help with your energy bills

If you're worried about your energy bills or need help keeping your home warm, the following organisations offer advice and support.

National Energy Action (NEA)

The Oldham Energy Action Team offers free energy advice and home improvement consultations to help residents make their homes more energy efficient, reduce energy costs and stay warm and comfortable.

Groundwork's Green Doctors

Groundwork's Green Doctors offer free, impartial advice to help people save energy and manage their bills.

They can visit your home to help you:

  • Find ways to save energy.
  • Resolve problems with energy bills.
  • Access other community services.

If you're struggling to pay your bills, are in debt or are having to choose between heating your home and buying food, you may be eligible for support.

Find out if you're eligible by completing the contact form on the Groundwork website:

Age UK Oldham

If you're over 50, Age UK Oldham offers free home energy checks to help make sure you and your home are ready for colder weather.

To book a home energy check, call: 0161 622 9277

Extra financial help and support

You may be able to get extra financial help with your energy bills.

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You may be able to get £150 off your electricity bill if you're on a low income or receive the Guarantee Credit part of Pension Credit.

The discount is applied directly to your electricity bill by your supplier.

Winter Fuel Payment

If you were born before 27 June 1960, you could receive between £100 and £300 towards your heating bills for winter 2026 to 2027.

Cold Weather Payment

You may be able to get a Cold Weather Payment if you receive certain benefits or Support for Mortgage Interest - Gov.uk website

You could receive £25 when the average temperature in your area is recorded or forecast to be 0°C or below for seven consecutive days.

Priority Services Register

The Priority Services Register is a free service offered by energy suppliers and network operators to support people in vulnerable situations who may be at risk of disconnection.

Check with your energy supplier to find out if you're eligible and how to register.

Electricity North West's Extra Care Register

You can sign up to Electricity North West's Extra Care Register to access free support services if there's a power cut.

Help with your water bill

If you're struggling to pay your water bill, United Utilities offers support, including flexible payment options and financial help.

Simple ways to save energy and reduce your bills

Making a few small changes around your home could help you use less energy and save money.

Heating your home

  • Turn your thermostat down slightly. Reducing the temperature by just 1°C could save you up to 10% on your heating bill.
  • Check your boiler settings. If you have a condensing boiler installed after 2005, lowering the flow temperature could help it run more efficiently. Look for the dial with a radiator symbol on the front of your boiler. If you live in a newer property, setting it to 60°C or less could help you save money.
  • Bleed your radiators. If a radiator is cold at the top, it may need bleeding. Using a radiator key to release trapped air can help it heat properly and reduce the work your boiler needs to do.
  • Turn off radiators in rooms you're not using and keep the doors closed.
  • Close internal doors and curtains to help keep warmth in, particularly in rooms you're not using.
  • Use rugs on hard floors. If you have wooden, laminate or tiled floors, putting down a rug can help reduce heat loss. Up to 10% of heat can be lost through floors.

Using less electricity

  • Get a smart meter. This can help you keep track of how much energy you're using and identify appliances that cost more to run.
  • Switch appliances off standby. Turning off appliances such as TVs, microwaves and phone chargers when you're not using them could save you up to £147 a year.
  • Use LED light bulbs. They use at least 75% less energy and can last up to 25 times longer than traditional bulbs.
  • Only boil the water you need. When making a cup of tea or coffee, filling the kettle with just enough water can help reduce the energy you use.