Tips to overcame fuel poverty
In Spain around 10% of the population suffers from 'fuel poverty'. How is this concept defined? When you suffer from this it is unfordable for you to pay: water, gas and electricity or you have to spent more than 10% of monthly income on it. Pay attention you should NEVER prick the light: it causes fires, in addition, there are safe and legal solutions.
Today We will list measures with the aim of having a warm home in winter. Its average cost? 15€.
3 Measures without cost
Ask for public aid: the main state social benefit against cold in Spain is the Social Bonus which works like a 'benefit net' with other programmes like thermical Bonus which give 24 to 125€ to helped people. In the same way the different administrations have programs: 1. The City council of Barcelona, 2. The Autonomous Communities (Framework law 24/2015 recovered by the Generalitat) and 3. The Metropolitan Area of Barcelona. Cost: 0€.
Avoid the TV 'stand-by' : disconnect it so that your bills are not artificially expensive. Cost: 0€.
Ask any doubt about fuel bills: there are not easy to understand Facua or OCU can help you.
Disconnect television and electrical appliances (if you can) every night this will not make your bills artificially expensive.
9 DIY actions
Adhere bubble wrap to the windows: spray the inside of the window with the water sprayer and place the wrap. The water will be the "glue" to adhere the bubble wrap to the window. Cost: from 6€
Put cheap energy saving lights. In case of not being able to illuminate the whole house kill yourself well. Cost: 1 to 10€ per unit
Install a shutter insulation kit to preserve the lid and all external parts, covering the entire roll of the shutter. Cost: about 40€.
Use polyurethane foam to cover the box of the plug through which it enters cold: Beware! with its volume uses less than you would think. Cost: between 4 and 8€ .
Use weatherseals to seal doors and windows: as you can see the insulation is the base. Cost: between 6 and 17€.
Buy cork to insulate walls: cork is an excellent material against the cold you can cover the walls. . Cost: 5 to 12€ in case of buying it wholesale.
Buy a laminated gypsum board (popularly known as Pladur): a great insulator that is easy to handle. Its versatility also makes it suitable for wall cladding, but also for making false ceilings. Cost: very variable but to meet our commitment we recommend types of Pladur for 20 €.
Choose windows with aluminum insulation and closures: it is an expensive product. Find out about public aid, otherwise the cost is between 40 and 140 €.
Choose the rock wool: this insulation of mineral origin takes care of the environment and our health while allowing moisture to pass through and protects you from extreme temperatures. Cost: from 3 to 7€ m2.
5 Objects to keep you warm
Buy small carpets for the living room: the problem here will be the size. Internet cost without shipping: between 35 and 55€.
Get warm clothes: if you can't opt for insulation at home, choose to cover yourself. So in IKEA there are blankets from 2€. You can also bet on jerseys for less than 10€ or gloves for less than 1€.
Use curtains when necessary to protect yourself from the cold at home. Cost: between 5 and 19€.
Use candles sparingly: fire is the great heat factor since the beginning of time, however, we do not recommend using it in rooms with curtains or carpets. Cost: 1 to 10€.
Bet on braziers: we must warn that despite its effectiveness if not cleaned properly combustion can lead you to death. Cost: between 14 and 24€.
We have finished our tips but we remind you that our Facility Management department is next to you. A good example of this is our "FeliuZero" value: with it we will give you the option to achieve the maximum possible energy efficiency and encourage sustainable living habits.