Nationwide, households will receive face-to-face guidance on increasing their home’s energy efficiency and reducing energy expenditures.

With the support of £20 million in government funding, 36 pilot services will test new methods to provide expert advice to those who need it most in England; more than 125,000 households will benefit. 

This will be directed primarily at those living in difficult-to-access residences, such as historic structures, and those who are difficult to reach, such as older people and those without internet access.  

In Birmingham, residents can visit new energy cafes to learn how to make their residences more energy efficient. 

The initiative, funded by over £800,000, seeks to make the advice accessible to more individuals via a friendly chat. 

A new ‘green doctor’, supported by £302,000, will offer ‘home check-ups’ to older and low-income households in North Yorkshire and Cumbria, advising them on which energy efficiency measures would be advantageous in their homes.

This is anticipated to assist more than 19,000 households install retrofit measures, such as loft and cavity wall insulation, leakage proofing, improved heating controls, and new heat pumps.  

As part of the government’s efforts to reduce inflation, this is the most recent in a succession of initiatives designed to assist households in keeping their expenses low. 

Among the other initiatives receiving funding today is a retrofitted electric bus that will provide North Yorkshire residents with energy-saving advice while on the road. During its time in Lincolnshire, an electric energy vehicle will visit rural areas of the county to explain how government programmes can assist residents in reducing their energy consumption. 

Minister for Energy Consumers and Affordability Amanda Solloway stated: “We want everyone, no matter where they reside, to have access to expert guidance on how to make their homes more energy efficient so they can save money.”

“These innovative projects will bring this knowledge directly to people’s doorsteps, in some instances, ensuring that people receive the best advice on how to save money on their bills and heat their homes for less without seeking it out.” “This is in addition to our investment of billions of pounds to increase energy efficiency across the nation – reducing bills while ensuring that British homes are future-proof.”

Schools and community centres will also be utilised in initiatives nationwide to help disseminate energy advice and household assistance. 

Energy efficiency remains the most effective long-term strategy for reducing fuel poverty, contributing to warmer homes and lower energy expenses while reducing carbon emissions.   

The new initiative introduced today will assist households in accessing these benefits, especially older people, those without internet access, those living in historic buildings, and those in rural areas. 

Energy Saving Trust Chief Executive Officer Mike Thornton stated: “It is encouraging that the government is taking steps to increase targeted assistance for those in greatest need. Individuals must have access to individualised guidance to confidently make the correct home improvements.”

“Our thirty years of experience delivering advice programmes across the United Kingdom have taught us that funding is most effective when coupled with individualised energy efficiency advice.”

Executive director of National Energy Action, Adam Scorer, stated: “The importance of energy advice has never been higher; at National Energy Action, we recognise the vital role that local charities play in assisting their communities on the ground.”

“This programme recognises the importance of local initiatives, particularly those assisting households with limited internet access, who only occasionally go without guidance. As our local events to raise awareness of fuel poverty demonstrate, the efficacy of in-person advice cannot be overstated.”

“Today’s support is in addition to the resources introduced earlier this year, such as an online Find ways to save energy in your home tool and a new energy efficiency phoneline to assist households in obtaining fast and accurate information regarding home retrofitting.”

In addition to the Home Upgrade Grant and Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, as well as ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme, households have access to various government assistance programmes for home retrofits.  

The support is part of the government‘s £6.6 billion energy efficiency initiative, with an additional £6 billion pledged between 2025 and 2028.