3.6m 'miss out on energy savings'

Winter brings new fears that some cannot afford energy bills

As many as 3.6m people in the UK are missing out on savings to their energy bills because they are not claiming insulation grants, a report suggests.

In some areas, a quarter of all households are not claiming insulation benefits they are entitled to.

Families could save more than £250 a year by installing insulation, the research for Home Heat Helpline found.

Four of the top five areas that are taking least advantage of the grants are in Wales, according to the study.

It showed households could save about £150-a-year on their heating bills by insulating their lofts and save another £115-a-year with cavity wall insulation.

The Missing Millions research, carried out by independent think tank the New Policy Institute (NPI), highlights low income households claiming either out-of-work or disability benefits, working tax credit or pension credit, who could also benefit from insulation grants.

Anyone aged over 70 can also apply for a free home insulation grant. This accounts for a further 1.3m households eligible purely because of their age.

TOP TEN AREAS THAT MISS OUT 1. Blaenau Gwent, 26% of homes 2. Merthyr Tydfil, 26% of homes 3. Neath Port Talbot, 24% of homes 4. Caerphilly, 24% of homes 5. Knowsley, 24% of homes 6. Rhondda, Cynon, Taff, 23% of homes 7. Torbay, 22% of homes 8. Sandwell, 22% of homes 9. Liverpool, 22% of homes 10. Leicester, 22% of homes

The grants are provided under the Carbon Emission Reduction Target scheme, which provides cavity wall or loft insulation for poorly-insulated homes.

"This research shows the huge scale of unclaimed help that's out there on offer from energy suppliers," said a Home Heat Helpline spokeswoman.

"We have trained advisers who can help you get grants for insulation, special reduced tariffs as well as advice and support on how to keep warm and save money on your bills."

Tony Herbert, utilities policy officer at the Citizens Advice, said there had been an increase in fuel poverty and that it is vital for households to take advantage of the help available.

"With the recession continuing and fuel prices remaining at historically high levels, it is essential that people who are struggling with fuel bills take advantage of the help that is available before the cold weather kicks in," he said.

"The Home Heat Helpline is free and contacting them could make all the difference in helping you to have a warmer winter."

The Home Heat Helpline is a not-for-profit phone line set up by Britain's energy companies to help customers who are struggling to pay their energy bills and keep warm.