Energy Efficiency Advice

Energy efficiency is a key issue, being not only a priority for government and many independent organisations in the UK but also of global importance. Being energy efficient not only helps the environment, but can help householders in reducing energy bills and also be beneficial to our health.

The Private Housing Section is able to offer free and impartial advice relating to energy efficiency. Alternatively, there are a number of organisations that can be contacted to give you more in depth information. Please click on the links or contact us on the numbers given below.

4 Ways to Warmth 

Winter is now in full swing, it is important to stay warm and healthy during the cold winter months - this means keeping yourself and your home warm. For many, rising fuel prices mean that keeping a warm home is difficult to afford.  Unique to Leicestershire, 4 Ways to Warmth aims to target those who need a little extra help in colder months, through;  

• Identification of those who need help
• Raising Awareness of what we can do to help you stay warm
• Practical Help and Support – proving information at a local level
• Long Term Benefits – continued support through a network of Good Neighbours and Energy Champions in your area.

 4 Ways to Warmth is a new project, involving several organizations, including WRVS. To see more information, click here:

The ‘Keep Warm Keep Well’ booklet from HM Government outlines simple measures to help keep you healthy and warm this winter. Eating the right foods, staying active and dressing correctly for all weathers is particularly important for the Over 60’s, Low income families and People with disabilities. This easy to read guide also lists grant schemes available, including the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grants, and where to go for further help and advice in paying for your fuel bills.

Free Energy Audit From Charnwood Borough Council

Do you feel your house could benefit from extra warmth this Winter? Are your fuel bills high, but your home still feeling a little cold? If so, you should think about taking advantage of a free energy audit, offered to householders, homeowners and tenants across Charnwood this Winter.

Funded by the Department of Health, under Leicestershire’s 4 Ways to Warmth project, Charnwood Borough Council and Change Agents UK have teamed up to offer you free, expert advice on energy efficiency in the home, tailored to you and your property. We want to help you live in a warmer home this winter; we will suggest ways to reduce energy loss, potentially saving you money off your energy bills and inform you of grants that you might be eligible for.  The audit will take about an hour, in which we will assess your property, offer you some great tips on how to save energy, and keep yourself warm in your home.

The service is available for a limited time only, so make sure that you book soon! Call Charnwood Borough Council’s Private Sector Housing Team on (01509) 634937 and ask to speak to Jenny.

Energy Savings Trust

The Energy Savings Trust was set up after the 1992 Rio Earth Summit They are a non-profit organisation that promotes energy saving, funded by government and the private sector. They provide independent advice to home owners, businesses and schools on all energy matters including:

• Insulation
• Fuel
• Grants
• Renewable Energy, such as wind and solar power.

You can complete on-line energy questionnaires to see how efficient your property is and what improvements can be made. You can alos click on the link below. This to will help you in finding the best deal in terms of energy efficiency improvements (grants and discounts etc) specific to where you live and house type.

Grants and Discount Database

Home Heat Helpline

www.homeheathelpline.org.uk or 0800 33 66 99 (freephone Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Saturday 10am-2pm) advises people worried about paying their fuel bills and keeping warm during the winter. It also gives advice to low-income households in urgent need of heating help and advice.  Since it began, the Home Heat Helpline has received over 200,000 calls from across Britain. Nearly half of callers said that they had cut down their energy bills after calling us and many more were able to access benefits and grants. Many people phone on behalf of their friends, relatives and neighbors. They can give you quick, clear information on the grants, benefits and payment schemes that you may be entitled to as well as basic steps that you can take to save money on heating bills by making your home more energy efficient.

Energy Efficiency Advice Centre

The Energy Advice Center (run by Energy Savings Trust) offers free, impartial advice to householders on all aspects of energy efficiency. They work closely with all the local authorities in the region to help cut the amount of energy used in homes. They also sell a selection of energy efficient products ranging from light bulbs to water powered alarm clocks.

Telephone Number: 0800 512012

Energy Saving Secrets

Save energy, money and the environment by visting the Energy Savings Secrets site. It offers tips and advice on having a greener lifestyle and news on all energy issues.

Warm Front

The Warm Front Scheme ended on 19 January 2013. You can’t apply for it now but existing applications will still be processed.

Citizens Advice Bureau 

 www.adviceguide.org.uk  (08444 111 444 (5p/min from BT landline)  is an online support website who can offer you advice in many areas including energy supply.  Recommendations when switching supplier, reading your meter or understanding fuel bills can be found from the links on this page:

Also from CAB: ‘Energy Best Deal’ is an awareness campaign launched in 2008, and has assisted 200,000 energy consumers in reducing bills and increasing confidence.  Listed first underneath ‘Energy Best Deal materials’ leaflet has some further advice and tips for finding the right deal for you. Follow this link for further information:

Go Green for Free!

Nicky Morgan, Member of Parliament for Loughborough, is urging her constituents to save money from their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions under a free scheme run by British Gas.

This summer, Britain’s largest domestic energy supplier is set to help up to 50,000 of the UK’s most hard-pressed households by offering up to £10 million-worth of free energy assessments and energy efficiency measures.

The measures could cut energy bills by around £250 per year for each home. In addition to making financial savings, the households will also be doing their bit for the planet, cutting their carbon emissions by a total of nearly 10,000 tonnes across the country – the equivalent of nearly 50,000 people travelling to America by jumbo jet.

To be eligible for the free makeover, households need to be British Gas customers and either over 70 or on income or disability related benefits.

British Gas will be working with charities, such as National Energy Action, the RNIB and Scope to ensure that help is targeted where it is most needed.

Nicky Morgan MP said:

“The best way for people to cut their energy bills is to use less energy. The best way to do that while staying warm and keeping the lights on is to make our homes more energy efficient. There are many people in Loughborough who will benefit from free energy efficiency measures and, during these financially difficult times, save money.”

Maria Wardrobe, Director of Communications at the NEA, said:

"This scheme is an excellent opportunity for vulnerable people to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. It will help cut energy bills and at the same time contribute to carbon saving."

Phil Bentley, Managing Director of British Gas, said:

“Improving energy efficiency in our homes is the quickest way to cut our bills and lower carbon emissions. And this initiative will particularly help our most vulnerable and hard-pressed families.

“By targeting free energy assessments and other measures at those who need it most, we can make a real difference to the quality of their lives and do our bit for the planet at the same time.”

The British Gas in-home energy assessment is a full energy efficiency survey of the home. All households will receive a personalised and printed energy assessment, which will include behavioural, energy efficiency and money-saving advice as well as a free insulation survey. Eligible households will also receive free insulation and other products, such as electricity monitors and standby savers.

Energy efficiency is the quickest and easiest way to save money on energy bills. Simple measures such as loft insulation can save £150 per year. Many homes do not have the basics in place with 5.5 million homes, more than a fifth, in the lowest two bands of energy performance and nearly 13 million lofts without the recommended depth of insulation.

Uk Energy Saving

The UK Energy Saving website is designed to point you in the right direction for advice and tips on UK Energy Saving in your home. It also provides information on green living, such as fair trade, recycling and saving water.

The Pension Service

If you are in receipt of the State Pension, then you may be entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. The payments are paid annually by The Pension Service and are paid at different rates. For more information, you should visit the website or call the helpline on 0845 9151515

Eco House

Eco House is an show house designed and built to incorporate many environmentally friendly and efficient features. It is open to the public and should be visited if you are looking for ideas on how to improve you own property. For more informtion, visit the Groundwork Leicester & Leicestershire website or call 0116 2220222. The organisation can also give advice and information on how to take steps towards creating a more sustainable future

Energy Efficiency for Business and Public Sector

The Carbon Trust is an independant organisation that is funded by Government. Their role is to help the UK move to a low carbon economy by helping business and the public sector reduce carbon emissions now and capture the commercial opportunities of low carbon technologies.

Telephone Number: 0800 085 2005