More than a hundred householders in Tewkesbury and Stroud understand how to make their homes more energy efficient, warm and sustainable thanks to our partnership with Tewkesbury Borough Council and Stroud District Council.
Starting in autumn 2023 homeowners across the two areas were invited to apply for a free efficiency survey of their home carried out by a Severn Wye energy expert, followed up with a bespoke energy efficiency report and action plan. Severn Wye also provided follow-on support and help assessing installer quotes so households could be confident they were getting value for money from a properly qualified supplier.
Simon Dix, Executive Director for Resources and S151 said: “This has been a very successful partnership and together with Severn Wye Energy Agency, we’ve helped a community of households to install energy efficiency measures. This will not only help with their heating and comfort level but also importantly, help them to save money on energy costs.
As part of the project, the partners investigated how best to help people engage with domestic retrofit to lower their carbon emissions. Interestingly it turns out householders valued the community support aspect of the project and the deeper understanding of energy efficiency retrofit that their surveys and the process provided; as a result they felt confident making informed decisions, for example when considering installer quotations. Full findings are in the partnership report.
Homeowners particularly appreciated Severn Wye’s impartial and bespoke reports. One resident commented: “The report was extremely useful; it went into every aspect of energy saving, also considered unintended consequences such as damp and mould. I’m very glad we had it done”
Allison Cawley, Director of Energy Services for Severn Wye Energy, commented: “We’re delighted to complete this project successfully, with 50 surveys carried out across all types of property in Tewkesbury, each report and set of recommendations being unique to that home, and a further 75 surveys in Stroud.
Having an independent survey is the first step to learning how your home uses energy – and it always starts with how your home is built, insulated and maintained before looking at detail such as heating and ventilation systems. Simple behaviour changes can also yield savings for free.
Cawley continued: “Looking ahead, we’re launching the government’s Warm Homes Local Grant across Gloucestershire this month, working with local authorities to offer eligible households a free, independent survey with fully-funded energy-saving home improvements – more information through our website and Warm and Well telephone adviceline.”
If you’re wondering what measures might be appropriate for your come, case studies from the project on Tewkesbury Borough Council’s climate change report hub give helpful examples of retrofit works completed on different types of homes along with an outline of energy efficiency savings made.
Severn Wye offers energy advice and support through the free Warm and Well adviceline, and if appropriate can refer residents for a home visit from one of its community-based energy advisers. Severn Wye also delivers a range of grant-funded programmes for energy surveys, installations and retrofit coordination services. You can contact Warm & Well for free on 0800 500 3076 or by email warm&well@severnwye.org.uk.
