Vulnerable can recieve help to save on energy bills

Vulnerable and fuel poor residents across Devon are being encouraged to apply for expert help to help them keep warm and reduce their energy bills by up to £300 a year.

Cosy Devon and the Local Energy Advice Programme (LEAP) is a free advice service supported by Devon County Council and funded by energy suppliers that helps households with energy saving measures.

Once the application is accepted, one of LEAP’s expert advisors will visit and look at your current heating and warmth levels in your home.

They can install a range of simple measures, provide energy efficiency advice and help look for a better deal on energy bills.

These can include draught-proofing, low energy LED lightbulbs, radiator panels and shower savers. These energy efficiency measures can save the average household around £30 a year on their energy bills.

The advisor will also check if your house has uninsulated cavity walls or an uninsulated loft. If so, it may be possible to arrange for insulation to be installed for free.

If your home has a boiler that's not working or is very old and doesn't meet current standards, they may also be able to help you repair or replace it.

The energy advisor will be able to give you free energy efficiency hints and tips and, if you have a heating controller, advice on how to set it to save energy.

Your energy tariff will be checked and, if you are not on the best tariff, the advisor will help you to change to a cheaper one. On average, a household can save £287 a year by switching their heating and electricity supply to the cheapest tariff.

Councillor Roger Croad, Devon County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community, Public Health, Transportation and Environmental Services said: “This scheme helps those who need it the most. By making our homes more energy efficient it has the triple effect of protecting people from the health risks of cold homes, reduces carbon emissions and keeps energy bills down."

You can apply using the form http://devon.cc/c8hj5 either for yourself or on behalf of somebody else.

Referrals can be made online by you or by phoning 0800 0607567