According to new research by the Research Institute for Consumer Affairs (Rica) and sight loss charity Thomas Pocklington Trust published today (12 February), many people with sight loss are unable to control their heating or cut their fuel bills because heating dials and switches are too difficult to use.
Now a new guide, 'Choosing Central Heating Controls and Saving Energy', has been published and researchers report a catalogue of design problems that make heating controls difficult to operate. They also offer practical advice on choosing and using heating controls to stay warm and save energy.

Head of housing research at the Thomas Pocklington Trust, Lynn Watson, said: 'It's vital that everyone should be able to control their heating but current designs simply rule this out for some customers. We need new heating controls to be made accessible to all.'

The new guide explains how heating controls work, gives product reviews and lists what to look for, particularly for those who have sight loss or failing vision. It also reveals an urgent need for better design of heating controls.

Chris Lofthouse, outreach manager at Rica, said: 'There's little point in government urging people to save energy if the most basic controls for heating are simply not workable for vast numbers of people.'

In a plea to manufacturers, Rica and Thomas Pocklington Trust are calling for better- designed controls that are easy to operate by people with sight loss. Since many older people have impaired vision the problem could affect large and increasing numbers of the population.

Controls which can be operated by apps or through a website have great potential as testers felt these could be more accessible. However, testing revealed that they didn't work well with access software (screen readers/magnifiers) designed for people with sight loss.

For those who don't want to buy new controls the guide shows how to improve old ones by adding tactile markers. It includes tips on cutting energy bills, keeping homes warm, and how to find and pay for energy-saving home improvements.

'The new guide aims to help people with sight loss or failing vision to take control of their heating - to save energy, cut costs and choose the most comfortable temperature,' says Lynn Watson.

Chris Lofthouse added: 'The lack of easy to use controls on the market means people don't have much choice. We hope this guide will get consumers to be more demanding and act as a wake-up call to industry. Features useful for partially sighted people are useful for everybody.'

'Choosing central heating controls and saving energy' is available online at www.pocklington-trust.org.uk and www.rica.org.uk It is also available as an audio CD and in Braille on request from Thomas Pocklington Trust by emailing research@pocklington-trust.org.uk or telephone 020 8995 0880.