Column: The impact of fuel poverty on wellbeing and health is a concern

​Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Wednesday, November 27) shines a light on the growing challenge faced by many families who will be struggling to heat their homes over the next few months.

Fuel poverty occurs when a household is unable to afford sufficient heating, often due to a combination of low income, high energy costs, and inefficient homes.

For rural residents, these factors are even more pronounced, particularly for those who live off the mains gas network.

A significant proportion of rural homes are not connected to the main gas grid, meaning they rely on alternative, and often more expensive, sources of fuel such as heating oil, LPG (liquefied petroleum gas), or even solid fuel like coal and wood.

The cost of these fuels has risen sharply in recent years, making it harder for families to be able to afford to heat their homes properly. For many, heating oil or LPG can cost considerably more per unit of energy than mains gas, leaving residents with higher bills for the same level of warmth.

The price of these off-grid fuels are not regulated either, meaning they are subject to market fluctuations.

Many properties are difficult to insulate or upgrade and retrofitting them with energy-efficient technologies such as insulation or modern heating systems can be prohibitively expensive.

This means that even when rural households are able to heat their homes, much of that heat is lost, resulting in higher energy use and increased costs.

The impact of fuel poverty on health and wellbeing is also a concern. Prolonged exposure to cold conditions can lead to serious health issues, particularly for the elderly, young children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.

As Fuel Poverty Awareness Day reminds us, fuel poverty is not just a financial issue, but one that affects health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

Rural Action Derbyshire runs a Community Oil Buying Scheme to bulk buy heating oil. It’s free to join and no obligation. For more information visit the website at ruralactionderbyshire.org.uk/oil.