FODC_Inform News_Winter 2022

18 in-FO in Fermanagh & Omagh | Winter 2022 Local Support Community Advice Funding for the provision of free independent advice is provided through funding from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council and the Department for Communities. Omagh Independent Advice Services and Community Advice Fermanagh have been serving the people of Fermanagh and Omagh for decades and have supported 1000’s of people through recession, government austerity and welfare reform. We are now facing an unprecedented ‘cost of living crisis’ that is having a devastating impact on individuals and families in the Council area. Many people are struggling to cope with the rising costs of fuel and basic goods as they see their disposable income failing to keep pace with the ever increasing levels of inflation. Omagh Independent Advice Services and Community Advice Fermanagh provide free, independent advice and representation and would encourage anyone who is facing issues around their benefits, employment status, debt, budgeting/financial inclusion or any other matters to contact them directly. They offer services which include benefit checks and maximisation, in depth knowledge of Universal Credit, free representation at Benefit Appeal Hearings and Bankruptcy Hearings, employment advice and debt/money advice. 1. Turn off lights when you leave the room and invest in low energy bulbs. 2 . Try not to overheat the room. The recommended temperatures are 21 o C in the main living room and 18 o C in other rooms. A 1 o C decrease in room temperature can reduce your fuel bills by up to 10%. 3. Don’t leave appliances on standby and remember not to leave laptops and phone chargers on charge unnecessarily. 4. Have a shower instead of a bath – you can have five 5-minute showers for the cost of a bath. This saves water as well as energy. 5. Close your curtains at dusk to stop heat escaping. If you have radiators under your window, make sure your curtains don’t cover them. 6. Don’t overfill kettles – just boil the amount you need. 7. Always wash a full load and spin dry clothes before tumble drying. 8. Defrost your freezer regularly and don’t put warm or hot food straight into the fridge or freezer – let it cool first. 9. When buying a new appliance, choose the most energy efficient – ‘A’ is the best, ‘G’ is the worst. 10. If your hot water tank has a thermostat set it to 60 o C. i i Omagh Independent Advice Services Tel: 028 8224 3252 Text: 07889002207 Email: info@oias.co.uk Community Advice Fermanagh Tel: 02866324334 Email: bmaguire@communityadvicefermanagh.com Top 10 Tips to save Energy in your Home