As the year draws to a close, the UK still very much finds itself embroiled in a fight against fuel poverty, one that we at Residential Energy Services have been proud to take part in.
The UK once again faced increasing energy prices and householders have been living with the consequences, one of which is a struggle to keep warm.
Let’s take a look back at how changes in the UK have affected the standard of living and where we have been supporting communities to take action in reducing the effects of fuel poverty on their households.
[How it Started] Fuel Poverty Rose… Again
Fuel poor households are those who are having to spend more than 10% of their income on energy bills.
In 2022, there were an estimated 13.4 percent of households (3.26 million) in fuel poverty in England, up from 13.1 per cent in 2021 (3.16 million.) At the beginning of 2023, It was projected that fuel poverty would increase to 14.4 per cent (3.53 million.)
The Great British Insulation Scheme
At the same time, the government announced the new phase of its Energy Company Obligation. Previously named ECO+, the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) established a grant to assist homeowners to improve their home’s energy efficiency, which will help save money on energy bills in light of rising fuel prices and the ongoing cost of living problem.
(If your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D-G and falls under Council Tax Bands A-D in England, or A-E in Scotland and Wales, applications are still available for Great British insulation scheme funding.)
Residential Energy Services’ Free Eligibility Checker
On the heels of the GBIS announcement, Residential Energy Services launched a fast, free eligibility checker and advice service to help get vulnerable homeowners’ applications underway.
Funding is still available in your area. Use the eligibility checker to see if you meet the criteria for ECO4 funding or Great British Insulation Scheme support. There are a wealth of funding support options that our in-house energy experts can guide you towards.
“We’re a team of energy advisors with a rich history in domestic retrofit, energy efficiency and construction. Our team engages with householders and moves them through the eligibility, retrofit assessment and installation process. We pride ourselves on our ethical approach to engagement, working with homeowners to achieve the best possible outcome.”
Sarah Parry - Director
Fuel Poverty Takes More Forms
As our knowledge and understanding of fuel poverty in the UK gradually improved, it became apparent as the months drew on that there was much disparity in fuel poverty from region to region.
Certain areas of the country are facing unique challenges and the definition of a hard to treat Home becomes much more varied.
For example, rural off-gas properties or older properties with solid walls found themselves embroiled in the fuel poverty crisis with a need for a tailored solution.
Investment in New Resources
As summer came, the government emphasised the importance of energy efficiency in infrastructure. Partnerships were formed with non-governmental organisations and private sector companies to help gather resources to support the most vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the Great British Insulation Scheme went live. To accompany this launch, Residential Energy Services published a 10 page answers guide and a multilanguage chat system granting vulnerable households from all backgrounds a stress-free route to the GBIS application process.
Navigating the administrative and logistical processes of securing funded home improvements can be daunting. We want vulnerable households to know they are not alone.
Sarah Parry - Director
Innovative Solutions to Fuel Poverty Emerge
In August 2023, Residential Energy Services, in association with Socially Grown received £373,329 of funding towards a mobile energy advice service for hard-to-reach households, funded by The Midlands Net Zero Hub, together with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
They were one of nine successful applicants to the Government’s Local Energy Advice Demonstrator Programme (LEAD,) funding innovative new approaches to providing energy advice to those in need. 9 pilot projects would be launched, exploring innovative approaches to providing in-person, home energy advice to consumer groups in the Midlands.
The Warmer Homes Project Arrives In Staffordshire and Shropshire
In September, the government expressed an urgent need for accountability in the measurement of ongoing energy efficiency initiatives. Reporting on fuel poverty was becoming more transparent and frequent and continuous improvement of energy efficiency measures was encouraged.
Thanks to a successful funding bid via the Midlands Net Zero Hub and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, Residential Energy Services launched the Warmer Homes Project on the 22nd of September at the Keele Climate Expo.
The Warmer Homes Project, an engagement programme that supports and reaches hard-to-reach consumers directly in their communities uses a community outreach and education vehicle to raise energy efficiency awareness, integrate with hard-to-reach consumers, and facilitate action to create energy plans.
Communities have ready and immediate access to RES energy advisors three times a week across the Staffordshire and Shropshire area to this day.
The project will run until March 2025 and will be seen across the Staffordshire and Shropshire regions, operating out of locations such as community centres, food banks, health and faith centres.
It’s really wonderful to see this type of thing happening. And it really proves how collaboration between local authorities, through central government, through private businesses, through charities, through communities, all of those people working together can really show how much of a benefit we can have to people’s wellbeing, people’s lives, and making a real impact.
Jack Hayhoe - Midlands Net Zero Hub
Preparation for winter fuel bill season
National Energy Action revealed that 40% of homes in Staffordshire have below-average levels of loft insulation. 36% of homes have substandard walls. As energy bills increased and we were heading into the winter months, many homes were still below the recommended EPC rating of C.
Sarah spoke to BBC Midlands Today in October 2023
Nobody should be in a position of ‘heat or eat.’ I think we’re slowly getting there with the different funding initiatives that are available, to get efficient homes that aren’t hard to heat.
Sarah Parry - Director
To help bring the fight against fuel poverty into the workplace, RES launched a workplace energy advice programme to help employers drive energy efficiency awareness in the workplace.
The one hour energy advice workshops include simple advice and guidance on how to save energy and reduce waste at home and at work, educate employees on their user behaviour and impact on energy efficiency, provide an overview of energy saving measures such as insulation and air source heat pumps, followed by one to one sessions to check funding eligibility, EPC’s and answer any queries the employee may have on how to make their home more energy efficient.
Price Increases on the Horizon
OFGEM announced before the end of the year a price cap increase, scheduled to take effect from January 2024. Between 1 January to 31 March 2024, the energy price cap is set at £1,928 a year for a typical household who use gas and electricity and pay by Direct Debit.
That’s an average £94 increase in energy costs for households. In response to this, RES released Quick and Easy Best Practices for Energy Saving at Home, a free, short guide, loaded with quick and easy energy saving tips to help struggling households live more comfortably and affordably.
How it’s Going
2023 will be remembered as the year that efforts were stepped up both locally and nationally in the struggle against fuel poverty. As collaboration continues to be encouraged between government and the private sector regarding sustainable infrastructure, Residential Energy Services are making sure the collaboration continues on a local level also.
Throughout 2024, we will continue to find innovative ways of getting free, impartial energy advice to those who need it. We have all learnt in this challenging year that fuel poverty is very much on everyone’s doorstep and we all have a responsibility to find ways to heat our homes efficiently for the health and well-being of our families and the wider community.
If you haven’t checked your eligibility for energy measure support, you can do so now by filling in a quick eligibility form. Or energy advisors will be in touch to arrange a home energy assessment and determine which energy and money saving measures are available to you right now.
