The Kintyre Forum

Householders offered free home energy reports

The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre Highlands & Islands, funded by the Scottish Government, is working with South Kintyre Development Trust and Argyll and Bute Council to provide free and impartial energy saving advice to local householders. The free personalised home energy report will illustrate how householders can reduce their energy bills by around £300 and help fight climate change.

Householders in South Kintyre are currently receiving a home energy questionnaire in the post. By completing and returning the questionnaire they will receive a free personalised home energy report – a first step to lower fuel bills this year.

Householders can also find out more about the Scottish Government’s Energy Assistance Package, which could help them to increase their income, cut their fuel bills and heat their home.

Householders with any queries about the form or any questions about energy efficiency, renewable energy or sustainable transport can call the local Energy Saving Scotland advice centre for free, impartial advice on freephone 0800 512 012 or by email at energyadvisors@hi.energysavingscotland.org.uk.

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Notes to Editors:
For further information contact:
Eamon King, Outreach Engagement Officer, Energy Saving Scotland advice centre, telephone 07554 456908
E-mail eamon.king@hi.energysavingscotland.org.uk

Malcolm McMillan, Powerdown Project Officer, South Kintyre Development Trust, telephone 07852 956 645
E-mail malcolm.mcmillan@skdt.org

About the Energy Saving Trust

The Energy Saving Trust is one of Scotland and the UK’s leading organisations addressing the damaging effects of climate change. It aims to cut carbon dioxide emissions – the main greenhouse gas causing climate change – by promoting the sustainable and efficient use of energy. 
 
The Energy Saving Trust in Scotland is part of a UK-wide non-profit organisation providing impartial information and advice. It manages a network of advice centres in Scotland specifically designed to help consumers take action to save energy. The Energy Saving Scotland network aims to reach 250,000 people every year.

The Energy Saving Trust's work in Scotland is funded by the Scottish Government.
About the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre Highlands and Islands

The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre (ESSac) Highlands and Islands covers all mainland and Island communities in the North of Scotland.

The ESSac helps consumers save energy, carbon and money by providing free, impartial, expert advice on all matters related to energy efficiency, small scale renewables and low carbon personal transport.

The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre Highlands and Islands is open from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, and can be contacted on 0800 512 012.

About South Kintyre Development Trust

South Kintyre Development Trust (SKDT) is part of Community Powerdown: a Scottish Government funded network of communities aiming to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and raise awareness of climate change. SKDT is a local community company who aim to advance sustainable development and local regeneration for the benefit of the community.

The South Kintyre Development Trust office is based at 3 Harveys Lane, Burnside Square, Campbeltown PA28 6GE

So, a trained agent on energy efficiency comes to my house and identifies ways I could save money by for example more insulation, conserving electricity by using energy saving bulbs using more efficient appliances, change the boiler and so on.

Then what?

Are there grants available and what is an "Energy Assistance Package"?

History wrote:So, a trained agent on energy efficiency comes to my house and identifies ways I could save money by for example more insulation, conserving electricity by using energy saving bulbs using more efficient appliances, change the boiler and so on

No one will visit your home unless requested by the householder. They are currently receiving a home energy questionnaire in the post.

History wrote:Then what?

By completing and returning the questionnaire they will receive a free personalised home energy report. The home energy report is the first step in finding out what assistance you are eligible for.

History wrote:Are there grants available and what is an "Energy Assistance Package"?

See http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home/Energy-Assistance-Package/What-is-the-Energy-Assistance-Package for details on the EAP.

The 'invitation' arrived today in the post - addressed to my daughter who (a) is now resident in Glasgow and (b) isn't the householder in any case!

WC1 wrote:The 'invitation' arrived today in the post - addressed to my daughter who (a) is now resident in Glasgow and (b) isn't the householder in any case!

WC1, there is a good chance the data used for mailing purposes will be collated from various sources and sold by companies for large mailings. Good chance an old Electoral Register has been used.

Mameg21 - firstly welcome to the forum. Thanks for taking the time to register and post and we look forward to your contributions in the future.

Quick couple of questions. Will the mailing to households be staggered? (so if anyone who doesn't have the questionnaire they should not be concerned about missing out as there still deliveries to be made) If all are out and you have not received one who do you contact?

Isn't this the biggest load of sh**e ever ??!

In a free country, surely you can use how ever much electricity or gas or whatever, knowing fine well that if you use more, you are going to have a bigger fuel bill. It's not exactly rocket science folks !

Smart meters, well where do we start with them ? Basically, like all things digital, if someone doesn't like you, YOU & ONLY YOU can be "SWITCHED OFF" !!!

So, here is my recommendation.
If you want a smaller bill, use less electricity and/or less gas.

And as a little aside, you should really know what the technology is capable of. Digital tv shows what you watch and when you watch it. Smart meters know what appliances you use and when you use them. So the question you should really be asking is this. My phone calls are already monitored and recorded, as is my internet, as is what I watch on tv, as are the appliances I use. How much intrusion do I want in my life ????

As for climate change, well if you're anything like me, you probaby are sympathetic & care about the enviroment. If for one second, you think the people that are twisting your arm about climate change and all the rest of it are anything more than a bunch of cynical liars, then you deserve all you get.

£3.73 wrote:Isn't this the biggest load of sh**e ever ??!

In a free country, surely you can use how ever much electricity or gas or whatever, knowing fine well that if you use more, you are going to have a bigger fuel bill. It's not exactly rocket science folks !

Smart meters, well where do we start with them ? Basically, like all things digital, if someone doesn't like you, YOU & ONLY YOU can be "SWITCHED OFF" !!!

So, here is my recommendation.
If you want a smaller bill, use less electricity and/or less gas.

And as a little aside, you should really know what the technology is capable of. Digital tv shows what you watch and when you watch it. Smart meters know what appliances you use and when you use them. So the question you should really be asking is this. My phone calls are already monitored and recorded, as is my internet, as is what I watch on tv, as are the appliances I use. How much intrusion do I want in my life ????

As for climate change, well if you're anything like me, you probaby are sympathetic & care about the enviroment. If for one second, you think the people that are twisting your arm about climate change and all the rest of it are anything more than a bunch of cynical liars, then you deserve all you get.

How negative are you?! Good luck to the Trust offering free advice on ways to save money - not everybody is as well informed as you apparently are. Why does there have to a cyncical sub-plot to every positive action that folk try and take?

Tom B wrote:

£3.73 wrote:Isn't this the biggest load of sh**e ever ??!

In a free country, surely you can use how ever much electricity or gas or whatever, knowing fine well that if you use more, you are going to have a bigger fuel bill. It's not exactly rocket science folks !

Smart meters, well where do we start with them ? Basically, like all things digital, if someone doesn't like you, YOU & ONLY YOU can be "SWITCHED OFF" !!!

So, here is my recommendation.
If you want a smaller bill, use less electricity and/or less gas.

How negative are you?! Good luck to the Trust offering free advice on ways to save money - not everybody is as well informed as you apparently are. Why does there have to a cyncical sub-plot to every positive action that folk try and take?

Totally agree with you Tom. While I appreciate there are common sense approaches (which £3.73 points out) I am interested in finding more out more. It is free afterall.

£3.73 wrote:Isn't this the biggest load of sh**e ever ??!

I'm sure there are certainly bigger contenders for that title.

From Malcolm McMillan the Project Officer working on this. More details can be found at the South Kintyre Development Trust website at http://skdt.org/

There have been several reports of the questionnaire not being delivered (or several being delivered to one address) and I can only assume that your home has been missed out.

If you want a paper copy of the home energy check please supply me with your address and I can post one to you directly. Alternatively, you can complete the questionnaire online:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/pro ... nergycheck

The home energy check is the first step towards getting your home insulated/more energy efficient. After you receive the home energy report I suggest contacting the energy saving trust (freephone 0800 512 012).
They can assist you in finding out what grants/offers you are eligible for.

If you have any problems please do not hesitate to ask.

Malcolm McMillan, Powerdown Project Officer, South Kintyre Development Trust, telephone 07852 956 645
E-mail malcolm.mcmillan@skdt.org