Household Energy Service

Helping households to become energy efficient

Household Energy Service (HES) is a community-based energy service company that helps households to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and save money on fuel bills. It does this by providing free energy surveys - conducted by volunteer energy surveyors - that identify practical energy-saving measures along with estimates of the financial savings they could generate.

At the start of the Big Green Challenge year HES was available to around 1,500 homes, mainly in the community of Bishop's Castle in Shropshire. The service has since expanded to cover other communities in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Radnorshire and Montgomeryshire - increasing its reach to 15,000 homes. In each case, HES collaborates with local groups to achieve its aim of liberating communities to tackle their own energy efficiency needs. Together they plan to create a sustainable community-owned social enterprise that will support householders on their journey to a low-carbon future.

Tackling the 'hassle barrier'

"Our energy surveys give people access to good quality information about cutting household emissions and fuel consumption," explains Adam Kennerley, Chief Executive of HES. "We've found that people respond really well to the reports, but don't necessarily go on to implement the energy-saving recommendations. We've realised that if we are to deliver real reductions in carbon emissions, we need to minimise the hassle involved in taking the next steps."

The HES team is now developing a range of services to help householders take practical action, from providing assistance with small tasks around the home such as draught proofing, to brokering deals on renewable energy equipment such as solar-thermal and biomass heating. They're also exploring options for providing financial support for people who want to install energy-saving or renewable energy equipment in their homes.

Developing local volunteers

Developing relationships with individuals in the community and with existing community networks has been an essential part of building up trust and interest in the service. "One of the things we've learnt is that people want a reliable, trustworthy and most important of all, a local service," explains Adam.

"Our professional energy advisors are on hand to provide expert support, but much of our work is delivered through local volunteer teams - we've found that people are really keen to do practical things for their community.

HES currently has around 50 active volunteers and offers an ongoing programme of training and mentoring for its volunteer energy surveyors. With each volunteer developing valuable new skills, the HES team is also looking into possibilities for making its training programme a stepping-stone to employment in the energy efficiency sector.

An update on the project and how it’s developed since launching can be read here.