At the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE), we’re taking action to combat fuel poverty in some of the most vulnerable households across Somerset, West of England, Wiltshire, and Swindon.

Our enhanced face-to-face energy advice program will create warmer, healthier homes and lasting behaviour change.

CSE’s dedicated advisors don’t just visit homes; they bring warmth, knowledge, and lasting change. We target the root causes of cold homes and high bills. By offering tailored solutions, we make a real difference to people’s lives. Through this project, we’re empowering local residents with the knowledge and tools they need to manage their energy use effectively. This isn’t just about lower bills today—it’s about building resilience, improving homes so they are more energy efficient and making lasting change.

In-person, tailored advice to tackle fuel poor homes

Our advisors will provide a Home Health Check. This includes visiting someone’s home to assess their circumstances and give tailored support addressing their individual needs. CSE advisors will:

• Provide tailored advice around energy bills and fuel use, helping people save money, reduce how much energy they use and lower the household carbon emissions.
• Assess the property for any home improvement measures that will make the home warmer or more energy efficient.
• Create a personal Energy Management Plan, helping them to make lasting changes.

The people we support through this project will have better knowledge, tools, and resources to manage their energy needs, leading to long-term changes and improvements to their living situation.

For some people a home visit is the only way they can engage with our advice and support. We help them get back on track, feeling more confident managing their home and their energy.

CSE caseworker

An enhanced level of energy advice and support

By visiting someone in their own home, advisors can better assess someone’s needs. And research suggests that more significant changes, including energy savings, are made when advice and solutions are given together. This is our approach:

• Home assessment. Evaluating a person’s living conditions, energy usage, and energy-saving opportunities to give tailored recommendations. Advisors will also look at issues in the home such as damp, mould, and condensation.
• Behavioural assessment. People in vulnerable circumstances may have unique energy consumption patterns and behaviours, for example not able to use their heating controls properly. Advisors can observe behaviours and suggest practical strategies to reduce energy usage and costs.
• Home modifications. Installing measures and offering guidance on available funding programmes making homes safer and more comfortable.
• Trust and rapport. People in vulnerable circumstances may prefer receiving advice and assistance from a trusted energy advisor visiting their home. This personal touch, when connected with behavioural change techniques, can make advice more likely to be acted upon.
• Tailored advice. Specific to household needs, circumstances, and vulnerabilities.

Our advisor will create a personalised Energy Management Plan based on the assessments. Householders will have solutions to improve the comfort of their home by making it easier to heat and retain that heat, as well as advice to reduce energy bills through energy consumption and behavioural changes.

Where possible, small energy-saving measures such as draughtproofing, secondary glazing, reflective radiator panels and thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) will be installed. The aim is to make homes warmer and healthier to live in.

Clients face multiple forms of deprivation; we know supporting them to make sure they can keep their homes warm and safe and afford their energy bills stabilises their position, making it easier for them to tackle other issues.

Alison, Shelter

Who can access this support?

The project, funded by Energy Redress Scheme, will extend support to one thousand most vulnerable households who, due to their circumstances, are less able to benefit and access other energy advice services and smart energy offers. This includes people who:

• Are at risk of fuel poverty, where they spend a significant percentage of their income on their energy bills.
• Have vulnerabilities that makes it difficult for them to navigate the energy market, such as finding relevant advice through phone calls, on the internet or email.
• Have conditions that makes living in a cold home particularly dangerous for physical or mental health.

This funding will support our most vulnerable residents, particularly those who live in rural areas and the most deprived neighbourhoods. These areas are our priority as they often struggle the most to access support.

Rachel, Consultant in Public Health at Wiltshire Council

Creating long-lasting change

People supported as part of the project will be more knowledgeable and empowered in managing their energy needs. This increased awareness can lead to long-term behavioral changes, ensuring they can sustainably address fuel poverty challenges.

Households will experience a significant improvement in their living conditions, with warmer, more comfortable homes that contribute to better physical and mental well-being. Due to the advice and energy measures provided, their energy set up will be adapted to better suit their circumstances, with particular attention paid to adapting their housing in line with their vulnerability.

As well as this, households should see an improved financial situation from an increased income (supported by grants and access to additional benefits) as well as a decrease in their energy expenses. With CSE’s guidance, they’ll be aware of and better able to access support services that’ll benefit them long into the future.