As winter approaches Age Concern Isle of Man chief executive Penny Creighton MBE has said she is heartened that, in the spirit of ‘Together we Can’, Manx Electricity Authority is continuing to work in partnership with the charity and the wider Council for Voluntary Organisations (CVO) to provide support for older, more vulnerable consumers. At a recent meeting with MEA representatives Mrs Creighton was reassured by chairman Quintin Gill MHK that thanks to scrupulous monitoring the Authority was able to optimise its fuel export options and maximise price stability. Mr Gill added that a specialist team was trained in offering consumers confidential practical support, advice and, in support of MEA’s non-disconnection policy for private households, structuring tailor-made payment agreement contracts. Additionally consumers relying on a power supply for essential medical equipment and/or who have special needs requiring extra care and attention, such as the chronically sick or infirm, can apply to be registered as an MEA Priority Care Customer. ‘Keeping safe and warm at night is a must,’ said Mrs Creighton. ‘For example, we would always advise people to keep a torch to hand throughout the winder months in case of an interruption to the power supply and we support the MEA’s recommendation that living rooms be heated to around 21?C and bedrooms to 18?C. Figures from the MEA indicate that an electric double under blanket costs around 20p, and a double over blanket around 35p for ten hours use.’ She continued: ‘The Energy Doctor service, delivered through Age Concern, offers consumers practical advice on energy use. Our Energy Doctor Gary Stevens will make a home visit to assess what energy-saving measures could be introduced to help reduce householders’ fuel bills and increase comfort in the home. He can also issue free packs of simple but effective energy-saving devices, including energy-efficient light bulbs and reflective radiator panels, along with draught excluders and door and letter box brushes. MEA also provides advice on energy efficiency and conservation through its Bright Ideas centre at the MEA showroom in Strand Street, Douglas. Mrs Creighton concluded: ‘In short Age Concern and the MEA are working together to ensure ample provision is in place to protect the more vulnerable members of our society.’ For all MEA services, including supply interruption information and payment agreement options, telephone 687687. For details of Age Concern’s services, contact Age Concern Isle of Man, 19 Drinkwater Street, Douglas. Telephone 613044. Top 10 Energy-Saving Tips as recommended by the MEA 1. Don't leave appliances on standby Don't leave appliances, such as TVs, stereos and DVD players, on standby and remember not to leave appliances like mobile phones or laptops on charge unnecessarily. Almost a billion pounds of electricity is wasted in the UK every year by people leaving appliances on standby. 2. Install at least three energy-saving recommended bulbs They may cost a bit more than ordinary light bulbs (about ?3.50 each) but they will last 12 times longer and could save up to ?9 on your annual electricity bill or ?100 over the bulb’s lifetime. 3. Only boil as much water as you need Only boil as much water as you need (but remember to cover the element if you are using an electric kettle). If we all did this we would save enough electricity to power two thirds of the street lighting in the UK. 4. Insulate your loft Insulating your loft is one of the simplest ways to save energy and it's a job that you can easily complete yourself. Although it's one of the most important things you can do, insulating your loft is not expensive and a standard 270mm layer could save as much as ?180 to ?220 a year on fuel bills. 5. Install cavity wall insulation Around 33% of heat is lost in an un-insulated home through the walls, so insulating them can be the most cost-effective way to save energy in the home - it could save ?130 to ?160 on your annual heating bills. Cavity wall insulation is straightforward and inexpensive and will help keep your home warm in winter. If every household that could in the UK installed cavity wall insulation, together we'd save over ?962 million of energy every year. 6. Upgrade your boiler If your boiler is more than 15 years old, it's probably time to replace it. By law, new boilers must now be of the high - efficiency condensing type. They can help you save a third on your heating bills and even more if you upgrade to modern controls. 7. Buy energy saving recommended appliances When replacing appliances (especially large appliances like fridges and washing machines); look for the ones displaying the energy saving recommended logo. Energy saving appliances use less energy and could save you up to ?45 a year. 8. Turn your thermostat down by one degree Reducing your room temperature by 1?C could cut your heating bills by up to 10% and save you around ?40 per year. 9. Wash your laundry at 30 degrees Washing at 30?C rather than normal temperatures means that you use 40% less electricity. 10. Fill your dishwasher Always fill your dishwasher before turning it on and use an economy wash setting. www.gov.im/mea www.ageconcerniom.com Ends