» How will the FREE programme be implemented in England?
Working at a local level with communities most at risk of fuel poverty, the initiative will provide:
- Information and advice for households and communities on how to improve their efficient use of energy and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Information and advice on the various grant schemes which are available to improve insulation and heating systems, and the eligibility criteria for applying.
- Balanced information on the various energy efficient technologies available.
The initiative will combine a practical works programme with supporting materials:
- Calor will provide funding to employ a Regional Energy Officer within each region who will deliver energy advice/expertise to priority off-mains communities and individuals.
- An energy efficiency website and information pack will be developed specifically for rural households offering advice and technical solutions relevant to a range of typical rural housing types, locations and lifestyles.
The FREE initiative will help households to understand the full range of options open to them with regard to cost savings, new technologies, income maximisation and carbon reduction methods and will encourage local communities to work together to promote best practice. Calor will be funding National Energy Action (NEA) technical advisors and Regional Energy Officers (REOs) who will offer independent information and advice to off-gas grid households and communities to help improve energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.
» Delivery Partners:
- RCAN (Rural Community Action Network)
The collective name for the 38 Rural Community Councils (RCCs) throughout England, their eight regional bodies and their national umbrella, ACRE. RCCs are charitable local development agencies, generally based at county level, which support and enable initiatives in rural communities.
- NEA (National Energy Action)
A national charity working, for over 25 years, to eradicate fuel poverty. It develops and promotes energy efficiency services working in partnership with central and local government, fuel utilities, housing providers, consumer groups and voluntary organisations.
