Schemes to help Dorset residents pay their energy bills this winter
Ridgewater in Dorset is giving free advice
A Dorset based energy company are offering free advice to help those struggling to pay their bills this winter.
The EU has warned that energy costs are set to jump as more than a dozen energy firms have collapsed due to a worldwide shortage on gas supplies.
This summer the regulator OFGEM said the cap would go up, which means energy bills will too.
Ridgewater a Dorset energy company have a number of schemes to help households who are affected by this.
LEAP is one - (Local Energy Advice Partnership) a free home visit scheme to assist residents throughout Dorset with free energy advice, energy saving devices, along with access to other improvements like heating upgrades and insulation.
The eligibility criteria is vast, if you are in a receipt of a benefit, suffering from poor health or are vulnerable, you will most likely qualify for this scheme.
It is also the first assessment Ridgewater advise to carry out, as it refers candidates for other grant schemes that could benefit them.
Health Homes Dorset is the second.
The scheme is funded by Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council and Public Health Dorset and is delivered by Ridgewater Energy.
Everyone is free for energy advice, which includes finding out if insulation can be installed or a replacement heating system.
It also includes practical advice about setting heating controls efficiently, switching your energy tariff and reducing condensation, damp and mould.
If someone in your household meets the following criteria, Healthy Homes Dorset will install insulation, and in some cases, new heating systems completely free of charge:
- Has a cardiovascular, respiratory or mental health condition.
- Has a disability.
- Is aged 65 or over.
- Has a child under 5 living in the property.
- IS pregnant.
- Is living with addiction.
- Has attended hospital due to a fall.
- Is a recent immigrant or asylum seeker
- Has a low income.
In many cases and where necessary, they can carry out work (free of charge) to prepare your home for insulation e.g. repairing cracked walls or render, or cutting a larger loft hatch.
For more information about the schemes visit the Ridgewater energy website.