With the days getting shorter and temperatures falling, many people will be dreading the inevitable rise in their energy bills and wondering how they can keep costs down. 

A fully funded support scheme called ‘Energy Saving Torbay’ is helping residents save money and stay warm in their homes by offering free practical energy advice and support.  

Launched in Torbay earlier this year, the scheme has already helped over 200 local households to save an average of £719 per year on their energy bills. 

The support is delivered by ECOE energy advice, an award-winning non-profit organisation. ECOE run regular drop-in advice clinics across Torbay where residents can receive a wide range of support to find the best energy savings for their home. Advice and support includes energy tariff checks; help with heating controls; energy and water-saving tips; applying for discounts and benefits; heating and insulation grants. 

Residents who have a household income of under £31,000 or those in receipt of benefits can also sign up for a free home visit. A trained home energy adviser will assess your home, install free energy-saving measures such as LED light bulbs, and provide bespoke advice for you and your property.  

Councillor Chris Lewis, Cabinet Member for Place Services and Economic Growth for Torbay Council, said: ‘‘Everyone should be able to heat their homes and stay warm this winter but rising costs mean this is a challenge for many people. Energy Saving Torbay is offering practical support to households facing fuel poverty, helping them to save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills and allowing them to heat their homes and stay healthy. If you, or someone you know, are struggling with their energy bills, please do get involved and find out how you could benefit.’’  

To take part, residents can attend any of the drop-in energy advice sessions listed below. You can also make a referral for a home visit via the ECOE website: https://www.ecoe.org.uk/healthy-homes-wellbeing/referral-form/  or call the freephone helpline 0800 772 3617. 

All Torbay residents who are worried about or struggling with their energy bills are welcome to attend the drop-in sessions which take place at the following locations: 

• Brixham Library, 1^st Friday of every month, 10am -12pm
• Paignton Library, 2^nd Tuesday every month, 10am -12pm
• Age UK Paignton, Fortnightly on Thursdays, 10am -12.30pm
• Torbay Community Café & Help Hub, Torquay, last Tuesday of every month, 10am -12pm
• Riviera Life Church, Torquay, 2nd Thursday every month, 11am-1pm

The Energy Saving Torbay project has received £75,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) and is completely free for Torbay residents. 

TDA is managing Torbay’s UKSPF Investment Plan on behalf of the Council. This involves overseeing procurement, allocating funding, and managing the contracts of those organisations delivering the projects. To find out more visit investintorbay.com/UKSPF  

 

The UKSPF is a central pillar of the UK Government’s Levelling Up agenda and provides £2.6 billion of funding for local investment by March 2025. The Fund aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK by investing in communities and place, supporting local business, and people and skills. For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-shared-prosperityfund-prospectus

TDA is an award-winning provider of business and property services, workspace management and affordable housing. TDA makes a real difference to people living and working in the South West. www.tda.uk.net