Stay warm this winter with "WARMZONE"

12.00.00am GMT Sat 6th Sep 2008

There has been a lot of talk in the news lately about some "left-wing" Labour MPs trying to make energy companies pay a windfall tax on their huge profits this year in order to make things a little fairer.

But Nick Clegg and the Lib Dems say it would be easier to get the energy companies to pay for energy efficiency schemes directly, as well as taking steps to help the poorest households by charging them less for their gas and electricity.

This Lib Dem policy of getting the energy companies to pay money directly is already happening here in Nottingham. Scottish and Southern Energy are sponsoring a huge £5m scheme to knock on every privately-owned door in the City and offer them free or very cheap insulation and energy efficiency measures. (Nottingham City Homes is responsible for insulation in council houses)

With gas and electric prices rising, it's more important than ever before to make sure that as many homes as possible have the right amount of loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.

The Warmzone team is offering a free check for everyone to find out if they could benefit. There are some 60,000 homes in Nottingham which need more insulation - and some of these are spending over £200 a year more on energy than they should be.

The bigger picture

Insulating your home to the best possible standard is also a really good way of helping the planet. You save money on your heating bill, but you also create less climate change gasses.

So if the Warmzone team knock on your door, do please invite them in and see if they could help you out.

The team will start in the West Area of the city and get to every door over the next year. Before they start knocking on any doors, they will send you a letter telling you how to recognise their distinctive uniforms. Never let a stranger into your house without proper ID!