New energy service launching for people in the North East

Within the next few weeks a new free energy advice service is set to launch to help improve home energy efficiency across the region.

In a bid to lower energy bills and reduce carbon emissions, the North of Tyne Combined Authority have received £2m to help deliver free energy advice to people in the area. The money came from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Part of the service includes a website which will feature energy saving advice and will provide residents with the option to create a report tailored to their home. From this, the report will provide recommendations on how to make their properties warmer, but by using less energy, which will save money in the long-run.

In addition, expert advisors will also be available to give over-the-phone advice to residents who don’t feel confident using technology to access the website.

Mayor Jamie Driscoll, said: ‘Warmer homes which are cheaper to run, who doesn’t want that?

‘We’ve got to reduce our carbon emissions. Supporting people to upgrade old buildings is one of the ways we’re doing it. It’s also about protecting people’s pockets and their health.

‘People who live in cold, poorly insulated homes are more at risk of falling ill and staying ill. Every £1 invested in retrofitting homes, saves the NHS 42p. We’re working with Energy Saving Trust who are experts in this area, to roll this our at scale across the North East.’

News of this service has come whilst the UK is arguably facing its worst ever energy crisis. According to government figures that were published at the start of this month, typical household energy bills increased by 54% in April 2022 and 27% in October 2022. Although lower wholesale prices have previously led to falls in costs, bills remain 59% above their winter 2021/22 levels.

Dame Norma Redfearn DBE, Chair of the Housing and Land Board, said: ‘This service will enable us to fulfil our commitment to deliver a large scale retrofit programme for the North East, that maximises local skills and supply chain opportunities, creating local jobs, whilst supporting our residents to reduce their energy bills.’

The new energy service is set to launch this Spring. 

Image: Ryan Booth

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