NORTHERN POWERGRID AND ENERGY SAVING TRUST PARTNER TO OFFER FREE ENERGY ADVICE SERVICE FOR CUSTOMERS

Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity network that powers everyday life for 8 million customers across 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, has partnered with Energy Saving Trust to fund a vital service that offers free, independent energy advice.

With the current cost of living crisis, Northern Powergrid, which manages the network that distributes the electricity customers buy from their chosen supplier, has funded the service to boost the support it provides to the communities it serves across South Yorkshire, the Humber and northern Lincolnshire.

Michelle Cummings, Northern Powergrid’s Social Responsibility Manager, said: “While our share of customers’ bills from their chosen suppliers remains low at around 25p a day in network charges for the average domestic customer, we understand how increased electricity retail costs and the wider cost of living crisis are placing significant pressure on many households.

“Our network is critical to powering peoples’ everyday lives and helping communities grow. We are committed, through our investment plans, to support a greener energy future but we also know that some households need extra support here and now.  We hope this partnership with Energy Saving Trust will ensure more families receive independent energy advice and the help they need in the months ahead.”

Laura McGadie, Energy Saving Trust’s Group Head of Energy, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with Northern Powergrid to deliver this service and share vital energy saving advice at a time when people need it most.

“Our advisers will help individuals and families to take action to reduce their energy costs, make their homes warmer, improve their personal situation and empower them to reduce their carbon emissions now and in the future.”

As part of the service, local people can call 0808 196 8256 to speak to an Energy Saving Trust advisor who can offer:

• Energy efficiency measures and improvements advice covering heating systems and controls, lighting, insulation (loft, cavity wall, internal wall, external wall, floor, flat roof) draughtproofing, glazing, domestic appliances, and behavioural changes to help customers reduce their home energy consumption and make savings and/or improve the comfort of their home. 
• Signposting to energy efficiency schemes and services to provide householders with information on how to apply for other support and Government schemes available, e.g., Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
• Water efficiency advice together with wider energy advice to help save costs because hot water accounts for a proportion of household energy bills. Where water is metered, reducing water use can also reduce water bills. It will also signpost for social tariffs for water.
• Income maximisation to advise customers how to access support from specialist national/local agencies providing money and debt management advice and support. 
• Behavioural change advice to improve the thermal comfort and living environment in homes (such as control of mould and damp and to reduce household energy consumption where possible).
• Health and Wellbeing advice including mobility, home safety and security, and ability to maintain health and wellbeing in the home. 
• Signposting to other advice and support for low-income households including identifying other potential specialist support appropriate to a householder’s circumstances and providing information on how to access this support from relevant local and national agencies, covering a wide range of other categories such as health, age, disability, home adaptations, independent living and other local services.  

Energy Saving Trust advisers will also encourage any individuals who may need extra support due to their medical or personal circumstances to join Northern Powergrid’s free Priority Services Membership.

To find out more about Priority Services and how it can support those who may be more vulnerable in a power cut visit northernpowergrid.com/care or call 0800 169 2996. Northern Powergrid also shares a range of advice and support on its website to help local people be prepared if their power supply is ever affected. To find out more visit northernpowergrid.com/be-prepared.