This week (17 – 23 Jan) is Big Energy Saving Week and a key partnership in Cumbria is being celebrated for all it does to help residents keep hold of their cash during Winter.
Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria is a service ran by Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) which celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2018. The service offers free independent energy advice and energy saving measures to vulnerable households.
Now delivering for another year, it has now offered advice and measures like a free energy saving kit, draughtproofing and even replacement boilers to hundreds of households throughout the region, saving locals huge amounts of energy and money.
Working in partnership with local authorities, this year the project has extended its reach to the entire county. Eden District Council is one of these partners who similarly offer household grants of up to £10,000 for households who meet their criteria.
Representatives from Cold to Cosy Homes and Eden Borough Council along with the Green Homes grant provider EON meet regularly to discuss their cross referral working relationship.
January is usually the most difficult of months with homeowners experiencing a long wait until payday along with a higher demand on their home energy requirements due to the colder temperature.
This year, families are experiencing even tougher conditions with energy prices skyrocketing leading them to have to make tough choices when it comes to the affordability of heating their homes.
The best way to discover ways of how to reduce energy costs is to get independent, specialist advice and Cold to Cosy homes Cumbria offers that free to eligible households. They can also offer so much more in terms of support with switching suppliers or tariffs, installing smart meters or smaller measures like LED bulbs and radiator reflectors, draught proofing and sign posting on to larger measures which can lead to a reduction in bills of hundreds of pounds per year.
Of course, it’s not just about saving money but reducing our carbon emissions and reducing energy use can go a long way in supporting the Cumbria target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Residents wishing to access energy saving support should contact Cold to Cosy Homes or Eden District Council and they will be cross referred to receive the maximum support and guidance for their situation with just one phone call.
MP for Penrith and The Border, Dr Neil Hudson said: “This partnership is one of a number across Cumbria made by Cold to Cosy Homes which enable every household to get free independent advice, an example of how they are committed to reaching as many vulnerable and low-income households as possible during these difficult times. The Green Homes Grant local authority delivery scheme offers so much more to eligible households when encompassed with Cold to Cosy Homes energy advice and in most circumstances initiates the most significant changes to a home to enable households to stay warm”
Cold to Cosy Homes Project Manager Gareth Field said: “By working in close partnership with Eden Borough Council and their GHG Lad 2 scheme delivery agents we can offer a broad range of households sound, independent advice on all aspects of staying warm and reducing their energy bills including advice about support that may be available from them to achieve larger works such as insulation and installation of renewable heating systems.”
He added: “In a time of escalating energy bills, we can all benefit from finding out how we can change our energy use and save ourselves some money.”