Gloucestershire EEAC

Background

The Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) network was established in 1993 and now consists of 48 EEAC and 3 Sustainable Energy Centre (SEC) pilots across the UK. The EEAC network is funded by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) with additional funding from local authorities and other local partners. SWEA has managed the Gloucestershire EEAC since February 2001.

Aims

The EEAC provides free, impartial advice about home energy efficiency to households in Gloucestershire

Working in partnership Gloucestershire EEAC has developed working relationships with a variety of statutory and NGO partners across the county. As well as Local Authorities and Housing Associations this includes:

Gloucestershire County Council
the Primary Care Trusts in Gloucestershire
seven Local Strategic Partnerships
The Pension Service
Gloucestershire Rural Community Council
BBC Radio Gloucestershire
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Home Improvement Agencies
Centres for Voluntary Services (CVS)
Gloucester Prison
Schools
carers’ groups
other social and support groups

GEEAC is an active member of the Gloucestershire Affordable Warmth Partnership, the Gloucestershire HECA Group and the county’s Joint Strategic Board - LinkAge.

Advice

Energy efficiency advice is chiefly provided to members of the public via the EST national freephone advice line, 0800 512 012. Calls are answered by trained Energy Advisors based locally. Householders are encouraged to complete the Home Energy Efficiency Questionnaire, which generates a Home Energy Report specific to their home. The advice team can also provide information about grants for practical energy saving measures available locally and nationally and make referrals to various grant schemes.

Clients can call free to speak to a trained Energy Advisor in their local area on 0800 512 012

Gloucestershire EEAC also provides:

Home visits to vulnerable clients, which include a detailed examination of the customer’s home and specific circumstances with particular reference to building construction, heating and hot water, insulation, ventilation and condensation issues.

Energy advice surgeries working in partnership with other organisations

Awareness

Gloucestershire EEAC carries out a range of outreach activities, including:

Information stands at public and partnership events

Talks to schools, social groups, health support groups and carers’ groups

Fun activities, including energy efficiency bingo and energy efficiency snakes and ladders

Briefing and training sessions for health and social care professionals, volunteers and other community workers

Marketing plans are reviewed annually to reflect changes in the priorities of funders. Recent campaigns include:

Save Your 20%

Every year the GEEAC take part in the Energy Saving Trust’s national energy efficiency campaign based around Energy Saving Week in October. This provides an opportunity for local activity to link with national campaign coverage.

Annual ‘Flu Jab Clinics

Gloucestershire EEAC staff are invited to attend clinics organised by GP surgeries across the county to engage with large numbers of people vulnerable to cold-related illnesses, giving face to face energy advice, grant referrals and distributing free energy saving light bulbs provided by fuel suppliers.

The Little Pledge

This campaign was organised collectively by the Energy Efficiency Advice Centres of the South West of England. The aim was to raise awareness of climate change and persuade people that their individual actions could help to make a difference without any cost to themselves.

Hidden Value

Initiated nationally, Gloucestershire EEAC took forward this campaign by EST. Targeting people buying and selling homes to raise their awareness of energy efficiency measures that could add value to properties, the EEAC sent direct mail to over 2,000 people who had recently moved home, tying this in with grants for DIY energy saving measures.

Gloucestershire EEAC also works with local broadcast media, including monthly slots on BBC Radio Gloucestershire and Forest of Dean Community Radio. Regular press releases, adverts and offers are featured in a range of local newspapers and newsletters.

Funding

Gloucestershire EEAC is funded through Service Level Agreements with EST, the six Gloucestershire Local Authorities and four Housing Associations: