Keeping homes warm and reducing costs

As the temperature drops, we are helping residents stay warm this winter and reduce energy costs with free Warm Home Packs.

The Warm Home Packs, being offered for the third year in a row, are available to eligible residents and include practical items such as draught excluders, smart plugs, radiator keys, shower timers and cistern bags.

To be eligible, your property must have an EPC rating of D or below and household income must not exceed £40,000 per year.

The packs come with handy educational materials, including a thermometer card that shows the healthiest temperature ranges for your home. There’s also useful information on air quality, tips on how much money you could save by using the items in the pack, and easy-to-follow instructions on how to install them.

Councillor Julia Neden-Watts, Chair of the Environment, Sustainability, Culture and Sports Committee said:

"We’re back with our Warm Home Packs and have added new energy-saving devices and tools, to help residents save even more. 

"The Warm Home Packs can help save households up to £250 per year, and make homes feel warmer, drier, and more comfortable."

Warm Home Packs well received by residents

At the launch event on 8 October at York House in Twickenham, we handed out over 150 energy-saving packs to Richmond residents. Energy advisors from CREW Energy Ltd were on hand to answer questions about using the items in the packs and to share practical tips on saving energy.

More than 50 residents booked free home energy visits from local partner SW Leap, whose experts assess homes and provide additional energy-saving measures such as boiler jackets, air fryers, dehumidifiers and radiator foils.

Non-profit Little Village offered free high-quality second-hand coats for children aged 0 to 5. 

Handy tips for keeping warm this winter

Even if you're not eligible for a free Warm Home Pack, you can still buy the items yourself and enjoy the benefits.

Here’s what’s inside and how each item helps:

• Draught excluders: Easy-to-apply foam strips that seal gaps around windows and doors, preventing heat from escaping
• Letterbox brush: A simple brush that fits over your letterbox opening to block cold air while still letting your mail through
• Smart plugs: These let you schedule when appliances turn on and off, helping you cut down on unnecessary electricity use
• Radiator key: Bleeding your radiators with this key improves heating efficiency by releasing trapped air
• Shower timer: Encourages shorter showers, saving gas used to heat water and reducing your energy bills
• Cistern bag: Placed inside your toilet cistern, this clever device saves 1 to 2 litres of water with every flush

Warm Home Packs available now

Warm Home Packs can be picked up by eligible residents at the Twickenham Civic Centre Reception from Thursday 9 October, while stocks last.

To book a free home energy visit, please email info@swleap.org.uk.

For more information about the Warm Home Packs, contact climatechange@richmond.gov.uk.