Help for all with energy bills

RISING energy costs are a concern for almost everyone nowadays, and yet most people are unaware that they might be entitled to free insulation and other measures that will help them reduce their energy bills and stay healthy in winter.

The new Energy Advice Centre, which opened in Bexhill on Friday, will help residents by providing free, impartial advice on the grants which are available – and which will help them save money and safeguard their health.

Richard Watson, manager of the Energy Advice Centre, said: “Everyone has seen offers pop through the letterbox for free insulation but our research shows that many people are sceptical about these offers.

“We want to reassure people that these offers are indeed genuine, paid for by the major Big Six electricity companies, but that they need to act now because they are only available until December”.

The Energy Advice centre, at 31 Station Road, will be staffed by volunteers and will be open from 10am to 4pm daily. Gina Sanderson, of Rother Volutary Action, said: “The role of the Energy Advice Centre is to help everyone get free insulation but we want to make sure our volunteers are there to help the most vulnerable,since they are the most likely to miss out but are also the people who can least afford to do so.”

In addition, the Energy Advice Centre is hoping to get the message across to the community by recruiting neighbourhood ‘energy champions’ who will spread the word through schools, community groups, housing associations, sports clubs and parishes.

Mr Watson said: “Our goal is to try to get the message across and get 700 more homes insulated in the next six months, especially for those in fuel poverty, but free insulation offers are now open to everyone of any age – whether they’re on benefits or not.”

The Energy Advice Centre has been set up with the support of Rother District Council, which provided the premises, and Rother Voluntary Action, which provided financial support.

On opening the new venture, MP Greg Barker, who is also minister for climate change, said: “I am delighted to be opening this Energy Advice shop in Bexhill.

“This is an important local initiative which will help people access energy efficiency advice and funding.

“The Energy Advice shop will be the ideal place for local people in Bexhill and Rother to get free and impartial advice about these schemes that will really make a difference to their fuel bills.”

PICTURED: MP Greg Barker with staff from Energise Sussex Coast, ECO Now and Downs Energy.