Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre Highlands and Islands

19th March 2012

About the Energy Saving Scotland advice centre Highlands and Islands

The Energy Saving Scotland advice centre Highlands and Islands is funded by the Scottish Government and provides free, impartial advice and support in Highland on all matters relating to energy efficiency.

Householders
Householders can call the advice centre for free, impartial advice to enable them to reduce their fuel bills and carbon footprint. This includes advice on financial support such as grants and loans, and also the Energy Assistance Package - a package of measures aimed to maximise incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The Energy Assistance Package could help people across Scotland in four different ways:
• A free home energy check. This short survey will check how energy efficient a home is and suggest practical changes and improvements as well as free energy advice to everyone.
• A benefit and tax credit check and access to the lowest-cost energy rates.
• Free or subsidised insulation for homeowners and private sector tenants who are receiving benefits, or are 70 or over.
• A package of energy efficiency measures for homeowners or private sector tenants who
are most vulnerable to fuel poverty.

Householders can also access renewables advice including financial assistance to help install renewable technologies. A personalised report will be provided often based on a home visit, and follow up advice to help them understand the renewable technologies suitable for their home.

Communities
Communities can have a major role to play in increasing energy efficiency and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. We work in partnership with a wide range of groups - linking our expertise and resources to the local knowledge and enthusiasm of community groups. In Highland we are working with community groups across the area, including Black Isle Transition Town Initiative, Dunnet Forestry Trust, Latheron Lybster and Clyth Community Development Company, Lochalsh & Skye Housing Association Energy Advice Service, Ullapool & Loch Broom Community Council, Badenoch and Strathspey Community Transport Company, Friends of the Earth Inverness and Ross, Lochaber Environmental Group, Stratherrick & Foyers Trust………

If you know of a group that is keen to promote the benefits of energy efficiency to improve people's lives, please get in touch.

Local authorities and housing associations
When it comes to housing, energy efficiency and fuel poverty are quickly rising up the local authority agenda. We're here to offer solutions and support in moving towards better quality housing and tenancy arrangements in Scotland.

Here's what we can offer:
• Briefings to provide up to date information on current energy efficiency and renewables
opportunities, showcasing real life examples.
• Free training to frontline staff on our services for tenants affected by or at risk of fuel
poverty.
• Support to help you to access funding to make local housing more energy efficient, easier to heat and more affordable to live in.
• Advice on the best way to cash in on renewable technologies, and how this can impact on social housing tenants and your income in general.

We also work with, and want to hear from, people who work to tackle climate change.
Support networks and health professionals.

The advice centre works in partnership with organisations and networks that support vulnerable people - providing access to information and expertise to help make their work more effective.

Here's what we can offer support networks and health professionals:
• Deliver free training on the Energy Assistance Package, to ensure key local contacts know what's available to help those in fuel poverty.
• Leaflets, posters and other resources to help service users' access information easily.
• Advice sessions for service users through drop-in sessions, bespoke events or talks that will encourage householders to take action themselves.
• Our comprehensive 'Fuel Poverty & Health' workshop for health professionals helps to
make the connection between common health problems and the effects of living in a hard
to heat home or struggling with debt.
• A simple, secure referrals process - our priority is making it easy for you to get help for
people, especially those at risk of fuel poverty.

Businesses
The advice centre helps deliver the Energy Saving Trust's small business service that provides a free energy efficiency audit for businesses with an annual energy spend of less than £30,000 and access to an interest-free loan fund up to £100,000 to help the business invest in renewable energy technologies or measures that reduce energy consumption.

The service also includes sustainable transport reviews for businesses in Scotland where an advisor works with the organisation to assess their travel needs and makes recommendations on how the business could reduce their carbon impact and fuel costs. The business can then access an interest free Low Carbon Transport Loan of up to £50,000 to help reduce the carbon impact and fuel costs of their transport and travel arrangements. Loans can be used to meet installation costs of a wide range of measures including video and teleconference facilities and cycle facilities.

Key contacts
Outreach Officer: Alan Grant, alan.grant[AT]hi.energysavingscotland.org.uk
Operations Manager: Alison Craig, alison.craig[AT]hi.energysavingscotland.org.uk
Centre Manager: Peter Rickard, peter.rickard[AT]hi.energysavingscotland.org.uk

Call FREE on 0800 512012
Visit online at energysavingtrust.og.uk/scotland