Home energy advice provides critical support

Home energy advice is an essential part of avoiding energy injustices whilst steering households towards decarbonisation. However, the present system of advice provision is unevenly distributed, and not targeted towards those places or people most in need. It also lacks coordination across the UK and is predominantly provided by the third sector.

Scarce, short-term funding for local delivery limits opportunities for home energy advice providers to build capacity and deliver schemes over the longer-term, resulting in precarious and seasonal contracts.

Energy advisors are under increasing pressure to provide advice that goes beyond typical energy matters – including dealing with calls of a suicidal nature from those living in extreme circumstances. In acknowledgement of the importance of this role, energy advice must be nationally co-ordinated, universally available and individually tailored. Face-to-face support and home visits are most effective for delivering change, particularly for those greatest in need.

Local Community Action Groups and services like Welcome Spaces support people in times of need, and can have positive effects on energy demand, as well as benefits like social cohesion and local engagement/ action.