Thousands of pounds for energy saving projects

Eight organisations in England and Wales are celebrating after winning up to £5k each for their projects which help local people to save energy and cut carbon waste from their homes.  

The organisations won a total of £25,000 in the Energy Efficiency Best Practice Awards, run by leading UK fuel poverty charity National Energy Action and British Gas.

The awards celebrate and recognise projects which help entire communities save energy by insulating their homes and learning about energy waste as well as those which offer community training, free home energy checks and support for people in fuel poverty.

emh homes, part of emh group, was named national winner and awarded £5,000 for their  installation of air-to-water heat pumps in 144 of its homes in Northampton, with an additional seven agencies winning between £2,000 - £4,000. Bruce Kerr, Director of Asset Management at emh homes said: “We are thrilled to be recognised for improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 in the East Midlands. We hope that the advice workshops we will be hosting with the prize money will help local residents save an estimated further 20000kg CO2.”

The awards are part of the Community Action Partnership, a national programme delivered by NEA and British Gas in partnership with councils in eight areas of the UK to help communities save energy and support people in fuel poverty.

Maria Wardrobe, Director of External Affairs, NEA said “Improving the energy efficiency of the homes we live in so that people do not have to use as much energy is the only sustainable way to make energy bills more affordable. I would like to congratulate all of the winners and would like to thank British Gas for supporting the awards as part of the wider Community Action Partnership.”

Christine Tate, Head of Corporate Responsibility at British Gas, said: "We are very pleased to support these awards. The winning projects will help thousands of people gain a better understanding of how energy efficiency can reduce bills and make homes warmer.  As a leading energy company we think it's vital to recognise projects like this which make a real difference to people’s lives.”

The seven other successful organisations are Manchester-based organisations Carbon Co-op and Salix Homes; Sunderland City Council, South Tyneside Homes, Age Cymru; Care & Repair Cardiff & the Vale; and Action Caerau and Ely.