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Age Concern and E.ON UK combining efforts to help over 60s be more energy efficient

Older people living in targeted parts of Nottingham are being encouraged to take advantage of a new service designed to help them use energy more efficiently at home.  The EnergyRight service has been launched by Age Concern and E.ON UK, the company that runs Powergen. 

The service is being launched as the DTI-sponsored Fuel Poverty Advisory Group1 announced that there will be 2.5 million households in fuel poverty in England in 2007 – twice as many as there were in 2004 2. 

The EnergyRight service, which is being piloted in Nottingham, has been set up to provide face-to-face information and practical assistance to help people over the age of 60 control their energy usage.

Trained volunteers are ready to carry out individual home energy checks in Nottingham, Ashfield (including Sutton and Kirkby), Hucknall, Beeston, Chilwell and Clifton, identifying on the spot easy steps older residents can take to boost their energy efficiency.

After the home visit, residents will also be referred for a Benefit Entitlement Check to ensure they are claiming all of the government benefits to which they are entitled, to handyperson schemes for practical assistance, and to other organisations that may be able to offer financial assistance for energy efficiency measures.

The EnergyRight scheme includes:

• A free Home Energy Check carried out by a trained Age Concern volunteer
• Energy efficiency tips
• Two energy efficient light bulbs
• An EnergyRight address book of useful local contact numbers

The project is being co-ordinated by Age Concern Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and E.ON is also contributing its expertise to support the service through its CaringEnergy initiative.  This is designed to support and protect vulnerable households by improving the income and energy efficiency of their homes with a range of measures which can be tailored depending on individual needs.

Mick Tinkler, Chief Executive, Age Concern Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, said:
“Older people should be able to afford to heat their homes and often they just don’t have the information to know how they could potentially save money.  This scheme will help older people get the support they need to be more energy efficient and hopefully save money on their fuel bills.  We are delighted to be running the pilot scheme in our area and we hope many older people will take advantage of this service.”

Suzanne Doxey, Community Relations Manager with E.ON, said:
“By working with Age Concern to offer the EnergyRight initiative, we’re able to share our energy expertise.  I urge older people living locally to take advantage of EnergyRight, and see if we can help them to lower their energy bills or boost their income.”

1. The Fuel Poverty Advisory Group is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body sponsored by the DTI and DEFRA.  Its primary task is to report on the progress of delivery of the Government’s Fuel Poverty Strategy and to propose improvements to regional or local mechanisms for its delivery.
2. Fuel Poverty Advisory Group (for England): Fifth Annual Report 2006.   

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Notes to Editors

• The EnergyRight scheme is currently only operating in Nottingham city, Ashfield (including Sutton and Kirkby), Hucknall, Beeston, Chilwell and Clifton.  It is expected to be more widely available later in the year.  It is available to people aged over 60 years, who are home owners or living in private rented accommodation.
• For information on how to benefit from the EnergyRight service in the East Midlands, including scheduling a Home Energy Check, please contact Kate Greaves, EnergyRight Co-ordinator, on 0115 841 4489.
• The EnergyRight project is being run by Age Concern Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, and is expected to expand to other areas in the East Midlands.
• Age Concern has worked with E.ON UK for eight years, delivering an extremely successful electric blanket testing service for older people.
• Age Concern is the UK’s largest organisation working with and for older people. It provides local services as well as influencing public opinion and Government to improve the quality of life for older people.  Local Age Concerns work within their communities to support older people through a range of initiatives such as information and advice, befriending, day centres, lunch clubs and advocacy services.  More than 252,000 older people benefit from Age Concern services every week.  To find out more please visit our website.
• E.ON is the UK’s largest integrated power and gas company – generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas – and is part of the E.ON group, the world's largest investor-owned power and gas company.  It employs around 15,000 people in the UK.