The Government is putting local action at the heart of efforts to keep energy bills down and homes warm.
It has launched a £40 million competition aimed at driving local initiatives to boost energy efficiency, reduce fuel poverty and encourage collective switching and purchasing.
Energy Secretary Edward Davey said: “With prices rising and temperatures dropping, we want to make sure we are doing all we can to help vulnerable householders keep warm this winter.
“This funding will put local councils at the heart of action to get energy bills down, for instance helping low income householders upgrade old inefficient heating systems and insulate draughty homes.
“As well as helping even more councils showcase the benefits of energy efficiency, this funding will support the launch of initiatives to enable local residents to save money by clubbing together to get a better energy deal.”
The competition, run by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), has three strands, each with a separate pot of money up for grabs: £25million to help householders keep warm this winter; £10 million to kick start Green Deal projects; and £5 million to set up collective switching schemes.
Money is also available for councils and third sector organisations in England, Scotland and Wales for the Cheaper Energy Together scheme aimed at helping set up collective switching schemes in their local area. Collective purchasing and switching is an innovative way for consumers to group together (through a trusted third party) and use market power to negotiate lower energy bills.
The closing date for applications is November 30, 2012, and successful bidders will be announced shortly afterwards.
Despite ever-increasing fuel costs, the British public just can’t seem to get motivated on energy saving, according to a new study. While 94% of us say we want to become more energy efficient, only 37% of us currently rate ourselves as such – and it’s the basics that are still eluding us.
With energy costs at an all-time high and four of the ‘big six’ energy firms putting up their prices again, 40% of us still leave the heating on all day and a third of us leave windows and doors open when the central heating is on.
Two thirds of people say they leave the TV on when they’re not in the room and almost half leave it on standby overnight, while 63% leave their mobile charging all night. Almost half of those asked say they still leave the tap running unnecessarily when brushing their teeth or washing up.
The study was conducted by Anglian Home Improvements to mark the start of Big Energy Saving Week. Melanie McDonald, Head of Marketing and Communications at Anglian Home Improvements, saod: “The cost of running a household is radically increasing due to rising energy prices and food inflation.
“So as we head into the winter months and energy consumption increases, it’s more important than ever for people to look at ways they can improve their energy efficiency.”
