Transcript Air Source Heat Pumps
Rural Energy Champions Project Awareness Session
Introductions
Overview of the Project
• X is a new community initiative • We are recruiting energy champions from different sectors to promote key energy saving and energy efficiency messages to fuel poor off-gas rural households • Households benefitting from assistance will be signposted to sources of specialist energy advice, available grant aid and other services by champions • All champions benefit from support to help them to promote key messages to households.
Session Objectives
• • • • • • • • • By the end of the session we want you to understand: the purpose of the project, your role and how it will operate What fuel poverty is and its causes The impact of fuel poverty on individuals and communities Why and how off-gas rural households are affected Basic facts about off-gas heating and hot water systems How to identify households at risk of/living in fuel poverty Solutions to fuel poverty Sources of available advice and assistance Support and resources available
Understanding fuel poverty
Quiz
What is Fuel Poverty?
“..a fuel poor household is one which needs to spend
more than 10%
of household income to achieve a
satisfactory heating
regime 21 O C in the living room and 18 O C in other occupied rooms.”
Fuel Poverty Strategy 2001 Essentially fuel poor households are those living in cold and/or damp homes that they find it difficult to heat
Fuel Poverty – The Facts
Around 5.1 million households are fuel poor in England In the UK approximately 6.2 million households are fuel poor For every 1% increase in fuel prices, NEA estimates another 40,000 households enter fuel poverty
Fuel poverty by region
The fuel poverty projections in the chart above are NEA assumptions based on all fuel companies having raised gas prices by 19% and electricity prices by 10% September 2011. DECC estimate used for 2007 predictions.
Causes of Fuel Poverty
High fuel costs Low incomes Under occupancy Energy inefficient homes Fuel Poverty Heat the home Condensation Don’t heat the home Ill health Fuel Debt Housing Disrepair
Risk Groups
Those over 60 yrs and particularly over 75’s Those living with a long term illness Those with a disability Children particularly the under 5’s
Any household is at risk of fuel poverty if they cannot afford sufficient fuel for heating, hot water and appliances. Those on low fixed incomes are particularly at risk
.
Fuel poverty, health and wellbeing
Cold Britain
In Britain, a cold spell during a mild winter is followed: • Two days later by a sudden increase in heart attacks by up to a third • Five days later by an increase in strokes • Twelve days later by an increase in respiratory illnesses The UK also has a high number of excess winter deaths
Cold homes and health
Cold homes can be a significant risk to health: 18-21°C - no risk to sedentary, healthy people Below 16°C - diminished resistance to respiratory infections Below 12°C - increased blood pressure and viscosity Below 9°C - after 2 or more hours, deep body temperature falls
Health impacts
Increased respiratory illness (asthma etc) Increased blood pressure leading to heart attacks and strokes Worsening arthritis and rheumatism Reduced mobility and dexterity Mild hypothermia/hypothermia Reduced resistance to colds and infections Worsening of long term medical health Mental health and wellbeing can be diminished
Other impacts
Impact on community • Homes in disrepair may look unsightly and affect the perception of neighbourhoods Impact on local economy • Less money to spend within the local economy Educational impacts • Educational attainment of children suffers • Bullying of children Social exclusion • Embarrassed to invite people into their homes • Less social cohesion through social isolation • Less money for social activities
Why are off-gas areas particularly affected by fuel poverty?
Location and access to fuel Higher cost of fuels (Bulk and per kW/h) Requirement to bulk buy Price fluctuation Transportation problems Tariff discounts not applicable (source of fuel) Customer protection and fuel price regulation
Energy use in the home Understanding heating and hot water systems
Quiz
Energy consumption in the home
Appliances 17%
Appliances 17%
Hot Water
23%
23%
Heating 60%
Heating 60%
Off-gas heating systems
An overview
Boilers
Wall hung Floor mounted
Electric Storage Heaters
Solid Fuel
Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG)
Oil
Immersion Heater Economy 7
Element B - Switches on when boost is required only Standard / Single immersion Element A - Switches on when timer requests in the evening (on Economy 7) 25
Identifying households in fuel poverty
Quiz
Who can identify fuel poverty?
Anyone Those working with the public are in an ideal position as they come into contact with the public on a frequent basis!
•
It is especially useful if people are seen in their own homes. There are various triggers that may indicate that a household is in fuel poverty.
Triggers – What you may SEE: Outdoors:
Severe condensation on windows Curtains kept closed to retain heat
Indoors:
Mould stains on walls or curtains Portable bottled gas or electric heaters Heating controls absent / not working / switched off Visual evidence that heating appliances are not being used. e.g. dust on heating elements Blocked vents
Triggers – What you may SENSE:
Cold
Large differences in
temperatures
between rooms
Draughts
The smell of damp
Triggers – What you may HEAR:
Home is usually too
cold
Home is
draughty
Fuel bills are
too high
Getting into
fuel debt
Stays in one room or bed to keep
warm
Child/ family member has
respiratory problems
Uses
prepayment meter
to avoid incurring debt Rationing fuel
Solutions
Quiz
Improve the energy efficiency of homes
Consider:
Loft Insulation Cavity Wall Insulation Draught proofing
Consider:
Energy efficient heating systems
Consider:
Renewable and Micro generation technologies
Eliminate damp and condensation
If damp and condensation is an issue consider: Adequate ventilation How to reduce moisture production in the home
How to Reduce Condensation
Main focus areas are kitchens and bathrooms, so:
Put lids on pans Dry clothes outdoors Find an alternative to bottle gas heaters
Improve ventilation:
Install extractor fans (humidistat controlled)/cooker hoods Open windows (where it is safe to do so) Close & draught-proof doors Install trickle vents
Improve incomes
Are householders claiming their benefit entitlements? Accessing benefits can increase incomes and ‘passport’ households into available grant schemes and other services
Reduce fuel costs
Are households:
Using the cheapest fuels for heating, hot water and appliances?
On the cheapest fuel tariffs and payment option?
Using the cheapest suppliers? Managing fuel debts?
Use heating, hot water and appliances efficiently
Are households:
Using heating and hot water controls correctly?
Turning appliances off when not on use?
Using energy efficient lighting and electrical appliances?
Solutions
Grants, schemes & services
Quiz
Income maximisation - benefit entitlement checks
Are households claiming all their benefit entitlements?
Receipt of benefits is often a passport to other services A householder’s first point of contact should be their local authority benefits team Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) may provide this service locally www.citizensadvice.org.uk Department for Work and Pensions Local voluntary sector agencies (such as Age UK - Tel: 0800 169 6565 ) may also provide advice for some households
Support on energy prices
• Winter Fuel Payments Between £100-£300 dependent upon particular circumstances • Cold Weather Payments £25 per week for every seven consecutive days below 0 o Celsius ambient temperature • Warm Home Discount Automatic £120 discount on an electricity bill for those receiving the guarantee element of Pension’s Credit and pay their bill to 1 of 6 key suppliers. Other Pension Credit customers and some low income or vulnerable households may also receive discretionary support from some suppliers by application.
Schemes (1) Energy Company Obligation
The Energy Companies Obligation (ECO)
is a new programme designed to reduce Britain’s energy consumption by funding home improvements worth around £1.3 billion every year.
ECO will place obligations on certain larger domestic energy suppliers. These obligations must be achieved through the promotion of energy efficiency measures to domestic energy users in Great Britain. The three distinct ECO obligations:
1. Carbon Emissions Reduction Obligation (CERO):
promotes the installation of solid wall and hard-to-treat cavity wall insulation alongside packages of measures (see Chapters 4 and 5).
2. Carbon Savings Community Obligation (CSCO)
: promotes the installation of insulating measures and connections to district heating systems in areas of low income and rural areas (see Chapters 4 and 6).
3. Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO)
: promotes the installation of measures, including the repair and replacement of boilers, to homes in receipt of certain benefits, to reduce the overall cost of space heating (see Chapters 4 and 7).
Energy Company Obligation eligibility and measures
Many householders in older properties and those on benefits or low incomes may qualify for extra financial assistance. Call the Energy Saving Advice Service (England, Scotland and Wales) on 0300 123 1234 or visit www.gov.uk/greendeal to see if you’re eligible.
Cavity wall insulation Some homes have walls with a hollow space in the middle. Putting insulation in this space is quick and makes no mess because the work can be done from outside the home.
External or internal solid wall insulation Older homes usually have solid walls. Installing insulation on the inside or outside of the wall can dramatically reduce the heat that escapes your home.
Loft insulation Heat rises and it might be leaking into your loft. Insulating your loft, or topping up your existing insulation, will keep heat inside your living spaces for longer.
Heating improvements Improvements, like replacing your boiler with a high efficiency boiler or updating your heating controls, can help you reduce the amount of energy used to keep your home warm.
People on certain income related benefits
Living in a private property Living in social housing within a rural community People living in a low income community People living in older properties √ √ √ √ √ √ √ X √ √ √ X √ √ X X
Schemes (3) Energy Company Obligation
Where to start
Free impartial advice services are available. They can help with: • finding out if you may be eligible • explaining the support available • accessing the support • more information about the Energy Companies Obligation.
Telephone: 0300 123 1234 Please also see Green Deal for non-eligible ECO households.
Trust funds
British Gas
One off payments for household bills / energy arrears or essential appliances.
EDF Energy
One off payments for household bills / energy arrears or essential appliances.
E.ON (Caring Energy Fund)
Will provide essential appliances and heating repairs or boiler replacement Energy efficiency measures / advice
Southern (Energy Plus Care)
Essential appliances and heating repairs or boiler replacement
nPower (first Step Fund)
Contact First Step team
ScottishPower Energy Peoples Trust
Fuel Debt Advice
Consumer Direct • Telephone: 08454 04 05 06 • Website: www.consumerdirect.gov.uk
Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) • Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk
Turn2us • Website: www.turn2us.org.uk
Your first point of contact should be your supplier
Fuel switching
Households may be able to switch fuel suppliers in order to reduce their energy costs Things to consider:
Cost Check standing charge Will prices change?
Contract – length/exit charge Level of use
U-Switch provides independent advice on fuel switching
www.uswitch.com
Priority Service Register
Each fuel utility company may have its own version of the register
Following can apply:
Customers of pensionable age Disabled or chronically sick Hearing and/or visually impaired
Services may include:
Bills and leaflets in large print and Braille Talking bills Use of password Special controls and adaptors Annual gas safety check No winter disconnection
Energy Advice
Energy Saving Trust (EST) • • Tel: 0800 512012 Website: www.est.org.uk
The Home Heat Helpline • Tel: 0800 336699
Any questions so far?...
Next steps
What you can do as a CORE energy champion!
“we are not expecting any champions to be energy experts but rather be able to identify households in need and to signpost them on to specialist energy and other services”
Your energy champion role
As an energy champion all we want you to do is:
Be enthusiastic and commit to try and promote key energy saving/energy efficiency messages to at least 15 rural off-gas households in need Encourage and signpost households to specialist advice and services Maintain monthly contact with your appointed NEA mentor and attend two further catch-up meetings Complete and return a simple record of the information given to each household Take part in a simple end of project survey
Promoting key messages to households
NEA has provided you with 2 simple resources to help: A ‘10 top tips’ resource for circulation to individual households A ‘booklet’ presentation if you want to do an awareness session with a group Both resources will help you to promote the same key messages to rural off-gas households
NEA mentoring support
NEA mentors are you source of support and guidance as an energy champion
Mentors will: Contact you each month to check on progress Provide any guidance you need to promote key messages Invite you to two short catch-up sessions to showcase your work as a energy champion Send you two email bulletins containing information on key developments
Record keeping
All energy champions are expected to keep a simple record of their work – a checklist is provided for you
Group discussion
“How can you promote key messages to local residents?”
Think about: • How can you best promote messages and encourage individuals to act on the information provided?
Where are the opportunities for promotion?
How will you engage individuals or groups?
Record at least 3 key things you plan do to promote messages as part of your day-to-day activity