MERSEYSIDE environmental charity, Energy Projects Plus (EPPlus), has been awarded a £34,000 grant from the Cadent Foundation to support ‘Plan A’, a new pilot project helping homeowners improve the energy efficiency of their property and reduce carbon emissions through training and education.
The three-month pilot will engage 300 households within Wirral and offer residents the opportunity to participate in free Carbon Literacy and/or Level 1 Energy Efficiency training. The courses are designed to encourage individuals to take action by increasing their knowledge of energy efficiency measures and guiding future decisions about home improvement options.
The charity will work with households to develop a plan for their home that maximises the improvement options available and calculates the potential carbon and financial savings. This will include providing an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for any properties without one and identifying potential funding routes such as local authority grants or green mortgages.
By creating a library of resources and insights developed from the work with each household, the benefits and knowledge obtained can also be shared with the wider community.
Dominic Griffiths, Business Development Manager at EPPlus, said:
“The ‘Plan A’ project has been designed to assist homeowners in improving the energy efficiency of their property, reduce energy demand, lower fuel bills, improve warmth, reduce fuel poverty and help support the UK to meet its commitment of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“The aim of the pilot is to demonstrate there is a real need to educate and support lower-income, homeowner households to give them the ability and motivation to create change for themselves and the planet.”
Julia Dwyer, Director of the Cadent Foundation, said:
“Projects like this have a huge part to play in engaging everyone in the transition to net-zero, ensuring no one is left behind in the drive to a greener, more sustainable energy future.
Energy efficiency not only has a central role in tackling climate change, but it also impacts people’s wellbeing and standard of living. 1 in 10 households across the country are in fuel poverty, and the COVID-19 pandemic is likely to see that number rise. Improving the energy efficiency of a home reduces energy bills and helps lift people out of fuel poverty; whilst also reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
“Education and raising awareness is key, and we’re delighted to support EPPlus with this initiative which will educate homeowners on the many options available to them and the difference it can make for both them and the planet.”
The Cadent Foundation is funded by the local gas network Cadent. It has been established to support projects large and small that help people living in vulnerable situations and energy-poor communities, protect and preserve the natural environment and support in creating a sustainable energy future for all. More information can be found at www.cadentfoundation.com.
EPPlus is an independent not for profit organisation that works to advance the education of the public about energy efficiency and other environmental initiatives.
For more information, please visit: www.epplus.org.uk.
