Feeling the Heat

Finding ways to reduce energy bills is a hot topic, as is reducing emissions. Making sure your home is as energy efficient as possible is easier than you think, thanks to having a Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) on your doorstep!

In May, a community consortium led by Zero Carbon Guildford with Circular Dorking, Energy Action Redhill & Reigate and Surrey Climate Commission won a funding bid from the Energy Saving Trust’s Energy Redress Scheme to provide local residents with home energy surveys, energy advice, infrared heat loss surveys and guidance on securing grants, over the next 2 years.  

Properties have an energy performance rating (EPC) of A (very good) to G (poor). In Surrey the average EPC rating is D bordering on E, worse than the UK average and a key factor contributing to the eye-watering £2.2billion Surrey residents spend on energy each year (over £160million of which is spent here in Mole Valley).

Not only is reducing energy waste good for your pocket, there are health and environmental benefits too. The HEAT energy surveys are completely free and totally impartial. There is no cold calling or pressure to buy expensive services. After a 60 minute thermal imaging survey using state of the art cameras, carried out by trained Energy Champions, residents are given a written report with recommendations and bespoke referrals to further support.

Paul Street co-founder of Circular Dorking said “The Energy Redress Scheme recently awarded £10 million in funding to 25 UK organisations, including the community consortium we are part of. We are delighted to play our part in directly benefiting home-owners and renters in our local towns and villages. This builds on our last 18 months of Home Energy Advice Team surveys, where the customer feedback score was 4.8 out of 5.”

The HEAT surveys are a fantastic example of members of the community delivering positive action and building resilience by creating a more circular sustainable local economy. There are six self-helping wins: helping residents to reduce their energy bills, making their homes more comfy, reducing draughts, reducing the risk of health impacting mould, reducing carbon emissions, and help in accessing grants.

See below to take steps towards energy efficiency by requesting a HEAT survey or our ‘reduce energy to reduce bills’ talks to community groups.