Keeping warm at home

Information, help and advice

Living in a cold and inefficient home can be bad for your health and your wallet. Being energy efficient simply means making the best use of the energy you are paying for. 

Better Housing Better Health (BHBH)

Oxfordshire Better Housing Better Health (BHBH) is our partner who can provide free, impartial help and advice on energy efficiency.

Contact BHBH if your household is struggling to pay fuel bills, or you want advice or information on any of the following:

  • Saving energy and switching energy suppliers
  • Things you can do to keep your home warm, dry and also reduce the cost of heating, lighting and running household appliances
  • Grants and discounts that may be available to help with the cost of energy efficiency improvements, including insulation

Call Better Housing Better Health on 0800 107 0044 or email bhbh@nef.org.uk

Sign up to the Better Housing Better Health Service's newsletter for the latest information other grants and offer that may be available to help improve your home and save energy.

Government energy efficiency advice phoneline and website

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero has launched a new phoneline service and website to provide consumers with tailored and impartial information on how to improve the energy performance of their homes. 

  • GOV.UK energy advice website: Find ways to save energy in your home
  • GOV energy advice telephone (free phone service): 0800 098 7950 - Monday to Friday: 8am to 6pm, Saturday: 9am to 12pm, Sunday and Bank Holidays: Closed.

Consumers will be able to receive information on:

  • the various energy efficiency technologies, for example heat pumps, insulation, smart meters, and their benefits;
  • the order in which measures are recommended for cost-effective installation;
  • how technologies can be used efficiently, for example, smart meters, TRVs, boilers;
  • payback or cost savings, as well as other benefits of installation, for example carbon savings, comfort
  • the level or disruption typically caused by various energy efficiency measures and what follow up work might be required, for example in painting work, insulation, radiator installation;
  • your rights when something goes wrong
  • Energy Performance Certificates – when required and what they do
  • Private Rented Sector Regulations – what is the standard and what actions need to be taken
  • Planning permission – when it applies
  • financing the work and options, such as Government grants and schemes, types of loans and mortgages

The phoneline service will not offer advice with energy bills, give legal, financial or installation advice but we can signpost consumers to other organisations.

Help with the cost of living

See our cost of living support page for help that may be available to help with your energy, food and other costs.

Citizen's Advice

Find out about Citizen's Advice Household Support Fund, which can help you with your household costs.

Information booklets