Derbyshire and Derby residents looking for impartial advice and practical tips on how to stay warm at home and cut their energy usage can ring the ‘Warmer Derby and Derbyshire’ service free of charge.
The service is run by the charity, the Marches Energy Agency charity, in partnership with Citizen’s Advice Mid Mercia and the Local Authority Energy Partnership (LAEP) – which includes Derbyshire County Council and all other Derbyshire councils.
Residents can call for advice about their energy bills, how to make their homes more energy efficient and how to apply for grants for heating systems and insulation by ringing 0800 677 1332 – and they won’t be charged a penny for the call.
Alternatively, you can email wdd @ mea.org.uk and home visits are also available to those who need more help.
Councillor Barry Lewis, Leader of Derbyshire County Council and Cabinet Member for Strategic Leadership, Culture, Tourism and Climate Change, said: “With energy prices set to rise again, we know this will put an extra strain on people’s bank balances and some residents may struggle to pay their bills.
“This free advice line will help local people by supporting them to make their homes more energy efficient and look at ways to reduce their energy use.”
Peter Burgess-Allen, Project Manager at Marches Energy Agency, said: “Cold homes can seriously affect people’s health. The 54% rise in the energy price cap due in April means many more people in Derbyshire will struggle to pay their energy bills and face the choice to either “heat or eat”.
“Warmer Derby & Derbyshire can help these householders, to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient by offering impartial advice on energy bills, insulation and other energy efficiency measures, as well as financial help.”
The advice line is being funded using a grant of around £246,000 from the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme – which is managed by The Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Government’s gas and electricity regulator Ofgem to distribute payments from energy companies who may have breached rules.
For more information visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk//StayWarmInWinter