About the project
The Midlands Net Zero Hub worked with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero alongside the four other Regional Net Zero Hubs to deliver the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator programme that funded innovative projects piloting new approaches to providing local in-person energy advice.
The programme provided funding of up to £2 million to individual projects delivered over the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 financial years. The focus of the local energy advice pilots was to test various approaches to delivering in-person advice, particularly for harder-to-treat properties and digitally excluded consumer groups.
The pilots had two main objectives. Firstly, they aimed to address the complexities of hard-to-treat buildings. Secondly, they strived to support hard-to-reach consumers who benefited from local, in-person advice.
- Hard-to-treat buildings – The UK has the oldest building stock in Europe. In-person visits captured the complexities of these building types, which are harder to address through digital and telephone advice.
- Hard-to-reach consumers – Local, in-person advice extended the service to certain consumer types, e.g. the elderly, disengaged, those with limited internet access, minority ethnic groups, etc.
Funding bids were welcomed on a competition basis, with successful submissions going through an element of co-design supported by the Midlands Net Zero Hub.
Midlands Projects
The following projects were supported through the Local Energy Advice Demonstrator in the Midlands:
Birmingham Voluntary Service Council
A group of charities came together to set up energy cafes and community events for hard-to-reach communities and hard-to-treat homes. They engaged with people in-person, being sensitive to aspects such as the choice of building, the tone of the speaker, and the availability of translators. They also trained volunteers and staff in energy awareness.
East Lindsey District Council
The council created an energy van that travelled to rural areas with a high proportion of hard-to-reach consumers to provide advice. Advisors gave demonstrations of how measures provided by government schemes could help reduce consumers’ energy use and improve the quality of their homes. The van provided a neutral ground to build trust with the community so that home visits could take place.
New boiler installation case study
Multi-agency approach case study
ECO4 case study
Leicester City Council
Leicester City Council built a team to provide tailored energy efficiency plans for households in fuel poverty. These plans showed how they could reduce their energy bills, lower their carbon emissions, and increase their comfort. This team provided follow-up advice to work through the plan and offer support where needed.
Leicestershire County Council
This project supported residents already engaged with health and housing services who were suffering from cold homes. Advice was delivered and promoted through community roadshows, home visits, and retrofit assessments.
Empowering residents case study
Marches Energy Agency
This agency provided intensive support for hard-to-reach consumers who were eligible for government funding but who, for a variety of reasons, were not able to apply for this without support. Consumers were given access to a small number of trusted installers, and advisors walked them through the entire process. Further advice was offered to a wider audience via a mobile retrofit roadshow, training sessions, and webinars.
Nottingham Energy Partnership
Targeting off-gas grid homes, homes in conservation areas, and poorly-performing homes. Advice will be provided through free workshops and webinars, as well as in-person retrofit surveys. Consumers will also have access to a network of trusted installers.
Creating a phased retrofit schedule case study
North Kesteven District Council
This council provided tailored energy advice to hard-to-reach consumers on low incomes. It created a specialised team of home energy advisors who went out into the community to provide advice. Advice also focused on adaptation measures for homes experiencing overheating.
Dispelling myths around heat pumps case study
Socially Grown Limited
This project targeted hard-to-reach consumers, particularly in rural areas, using a community outreach and education vehicle. Advice was provided in pop-up locations such as health, community, and religious centres, as well as food banks, where advisors were available to answer questions and arrange energy assessments where appropriate.
Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council
Using a school as a trusted venue to reach hard-to-treat properties and hard-to-reach people, the council offered advice and services through this venue in collaboration with existing partners and organizations. There was a particular emphasis on engaging with non-native English speakers about Victorian terraced houses.
Delivering energy efficiency improvements to a primary school catchment case study
The local energy advice pilots formed an integral part of the multi-channel home energy advice service developed by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero. In addition to this programme, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero launched a new energy retrofit advice service on GOV.UK to help people better understand how to make energy efficiency improvements to their home, along with a free retrofit phoneline service providing easy access to expert advice about retrofit technology.
All of the Local Net Zero Hubs delivered Local Energy Advice Demonstrator projects, so take a look at what’s happening elsewhere in England.