Baillie Highlights Energy Support Available This Winter

Dumbarton MSP Jackie urged residents throughout Helensburgh, Dumbarton and the Vale of Leven, to seek advice.

She said: “As households in the area face energy bills this winter, it’s vital that no one feels left in the dark about the support available.

“Help and advice is out there – direct from suppliers like Scottish Gas, who stand ready to assist, and organisations such as Advice Direct Scotland and the British Gas Energy Trust, offering grant funding to those in need.

“If you’re struggling, don’t hesitate, reach out to your energy supplier or these trusted organisations. Support is closer than you think.”

This winter, the Trust is providing an additional £500,000 to support households across Scotland.

The funding will focus on three key areas – a new White Goods Scheme across mainland Scotland to supply essential appliances to around 715 households, emergency energy vouchers for households in need, and support for Scottish money and energy advice projects through the Supporting Communities At Risk Programme (SCARP).

Tracey Talbot, Interim Chief Executive Officer, at Scottish Gas Energy Trust, added: “With energy prices rising and household budgets coming under pressure, we hope that the grants available can help families and individuals who are struggling, helping them move towards a more secure financial future. Our focus is ensuring people can access support, so that no one has to choose between heating their home or meeting other essential needs this winter.”

Scottish Gas also recommends small changes which can help improve energy efficiency and save money.

Here are five ways to do that:

Keep draughts out – sealing windows and doors properly helps reduce heat loss. Simple fixes like self-adhesive foam strips around window frames and draught excluders under doors can make a big difference. It’s also worth checking smaller gaps, like keyholes and letterboxes, which can be easily covered with inexpensive solutions.

Make the most of your home’s heat – Think carefully about how furniture is arranged in your home so radiators can do their job to the best of their ability. A sofa placed directly in front of a heat source might feel snug, but it stops heat from circulating around the rest of the room. Meanwhile, using thicker curtains helps trap warmth at windows and doors and laying rugs on bare floors can reduce the heat escaping through the ground. And when the sun is shining, remember to open your curtains to let in natural warmth!

Find your ideal temperature – When the cold sets in, turning up the thermostat might seem like the quickest fix, but keeping it set between 18°C and 21°C is both comfortable and cost-effective. Even a small change makes a difference – reducing the temperature by just one degree could trim around 10% off your heating costs.

Set your heating to suit your routine– Scheduling your heating can help you save energy without sacrificing comfort. Try setting it to switch on about 15 minutes before you get up and to turn off half an hour before bedtime. This not only cuts down on costs but can also support a better night’s sleep. At night, you can further reduce waste by lowering the temperature in rooms that aren’t in use.

Insulate your pipes –  Frozen pipes can cause serious damage, often cracking or bursting when water turns to ice. The simplest way to avoid costly repairs is to stop them freezing in the first place. Wrapping pipes with inexpensive insulation from a DIY store helps retain warmth and reduce heat loss.”

Find out more about the British Gas Energy Trust online, at: https://britishgasenergytrust.org.uk/