Collaboration with Northern Gas Networks

Protecting your Power Supply, Energy Efficiency & Fuel Debt, and Carbon Monoxide Awareness

We are involved in a partnership with Northern Gas Networks, which is working in Yorkshire, the North East and North Cumbria, to help raise awareness of the Priority Services Register, the dangers of Carbon Monoxide and the availability of help and support for those affected by fuel debt.

A reliable, efficient and safe energy supply to farm businesses and houses is essential. Farming businesses rely on power to run parlours, heat glasshouses and dry grain.

Farm houses are often older dwellings, with less insulation or high quality glazing than newer buildings, and multi-generational living is more common, meaning there can be a variety of different needs for a consistent and secure supply.

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National Energy Action Toolkit

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Protecting your power supply

Become a Priority Customer

Some energy distribution companies will prioritise certain groups of customers – pensioners, those with young children, people living with a chronic illness or disability, and those who have medicine that must be refrigerated.

In Yorkshire and the North East, eligible customers can sign up to Northern Gas Network’s Priority Services Register. In the event of an unexpected disruption to supply, your re-connection will be prioritised and extra support given.

It only takes a few minutes and there is no charge.

Look after your boiler

If you own your home, you might qualify for a free annual safety check. These are for people who receive means-tested benefits and are over State Pension age or living with a disability or long-term health condition. 

In rented accommodation, your landlord must arrange for your boiler to be safety checked by a Gas Safe registered engineer every 12 months.

Supply Interruptions – What to do in a Power Cut

It’s a good idea to have a plan and some supplies in place in case of a power cut. Organising this before winter weather brings storms, cold weather and long dark nights should be a priority.

Be winter ready

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Energy Efficiency

Making small changes to the way you use your energy will help to bring down your costs and stay warm, safe and healthy.

Here are a few extra suggestions:

• Don’t fill the kettle to the top
• Use the eco and quick cycle settings on your washing machine and dishwasher
• Defrost your freezer every 6 months (and keep it full – it will use less energy)
• Use LED lightbulbs
• Turn your thermostat down by 1 degree
• Use a microwave rather than an oven wherever possible

Fuel Debt

As of January 2025, the number of UK households in fuel poverty is 6.1 million.

National Energy Action have outlined the steps you can take if you’re struggling to pay utility bills:

• Contact your energy supplier – they are required to work with you to find a manageable way for you to pay.
• Maximise your income – ensure you are receiving every benefit you are entitled to, including Warm Home Discount and Cold Weather Payments
• Sign up to the Priority Services Register – a system that energy companies use to make sure the correct support is given to their most vulnerable customers
• Make your home as energy efficient as possible – boiler upgrade and insulation schemes are available
• Change the way you use energy – reduce shower time or prepare batches of food in a slow cooker. It’s also important to keep an eye on your meter – if your bill is estimated (marked ‘E’) you could be paying too much.

Green Doctors are energy efficiency experts offering free, impartial advice to help people take control of their bills and save energy in the home.

They offer advice on paying off debt with water and energy companies and provide sustainable solutions for fuel poor households

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Carbon Monoxide Awareness

Carbon Monoxide (CO) is an odourless, tasteless, invisible, flammable and very toxic gas, which can be emitted from the burning of any carbon-based fuel.

Equipment that can produce Carbon Monoxide can include the following:

• Mains gas heating and cooking appliances
• Bottled gas heating and cooking appliances
• Solid fuel heating and cooking appliances
• Oil heating appliances LPG
• Barbecues
• Petrol / Diesel vehicles and boats
• Generators
• Gas appliances in caravans/boats/allotments
• Bottled gas lighting, camping cookers
• Paraffin burning appliances
• Cigarettes

Symtoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning include:

• Headaches
• Tiredness
• Nausea
• Dizziness

As the effects are similar to flu like symptoms CO poisoning can be misdiagnosed. Different members of the family can suffer different symptoms.

The difference is that there is no fever and when in fresh air the symptoms disappear.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms