| Just when we thought it was all over, we wake up to | | | | and electricity in rural areas, cut off by the snow |
| discover another winter wonderland has descended | | | | storms. The Telegraph newspaper reported on |
| across the UK. Winter it seems is no longer restricted | | | | residents near the Scottish border who lost gas supply |
| to December. In fact, this year it has lasted months - | | | | this year as engineers were hindered by the weather. |
| pushing spring further and further back. But it isn't just | | | | Despite the warnings of global warming, the UK needs |
| difficult for the spirits; winter impacts on our financial | | | | to brace itself for potentially dark, difficult and long |
| welfare too as the swelling gas and electric bills kick in. | | | | winters. It's been predicted that energy costs could rise |
| It seems this winter in the UK we've taken one step | | | | to £1,500 next year for each household. It's a |
| back with every new step forward towards spring | | | | staggering rise. There are many things you can do to |
| with forecasters warning of yet more cold and wintry | | | | help reduce future energy costs: |
| weather to come. "We are not out of the woods yet" | | | | If your home was built before the 1930s, it will be |
| became the favourite catch line of forecasters up and | | | | suitable for insulation. Check out the Government |
| down the country. | | | | grants available for loft and wall insulation; the over 70s |
| Snow showers, flash floods, snow drifts, weekend | | | | may be eligible for free schemes for cavity wall and |
| wash-outs, tornado risks...weather warnings have | | | | loft insulation |
| come thick and fast. It's been said Britain has faced its | | | | Turning your heating thermostat down by 1C will cut |
| third coldest winter in the last 50 years. And the snow | | | | your heating bill by up to 10% - saving you £40 a |
| may look pretty for many and spell good news for | | | | year. Just wrap up warmer in the home or invest in a |
| schoolchildren across the nation, but for the majority of | | | | snug rug. Use energy saving light bulbs and invest in |
| adults it's not so pleasant been caught up in it. For the | | | | sealants to combat droughts. If your boiler is outmoded, |
| vulnerable and old, it can even be life threatening. | | | | invest in an A rated one which will save you money |
| In the worst cases, households are left without gas | | | | and be more environmentally friendly. |