Aberdeen households are set to benefit from reduced energy bills and free carbon monoxide alarms, thanks to the roll out of a significant new project.
Energy efficiency charity Scarf has extended its relationship with gas distribution network SGN in reaching out to households in the city who may benefit from advice on how to better understand and manage energy costs amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis.
Building on the success of a similar initiative in Dundee, Scarf’s home energy advice team will empower householders to better understand and manage energy use and reduce bills by offering practical hands-on support.
With a focus on education, the collaboration will ensure customers are on the right tariff and aware of appropriate financial assistance or home improvement grants. Assistance will also be available to provide an advocacy service to write off energy debt, check on benefit eligibility and apply for hardship funds as well as local and national energy improvement programmes. The programme will also be focussed on carbon monoxide education and supplying alarms to those that don’t have them in their households.
Additionally, Scarf will be referring those who are vulnerable to the Priority Service Register which helps utility companies including energy suppliers, gas, electricity, and water networks to look after customers who have extra communication, access or safety needs.
Co-CEO of Scarf Lawrence Johnston said: “Due to post-pandemic economic challenges, fuel cap increases and the cost-of-living crisis, it is estimated that up to 40% of Aberdeen households may be living in fuel or extreme fuel poverty.
“Scarf has extensive knowledge of households who have applied for financial assistance from the local authority and is, therefore, correctly positioned to target where this assistance can create the most benefit.”
Co-CEO David Mackay added: “Working in partnership with SGN, we aim to provide a holistic support advocacy service that gives fuel poor households in Aberdeen access to energy experts to reduce the impact of financial pressures and create warm living conditions for more people.
“We also aim to build a network of partners to provide multiple levels of support, specific to the needs of fuel poor households and their families, particularly those with young children.”
Linda Spence, Vulnerability Manager at SGN, said: “We’re delighted to be expanding our partnership with Scarf to provide this essential energy support and safeguarding service to households across Aberdeen.
“Scarf are seeing first hand the impact the cost of living crisis is having on those with families struggling to afford to maintain a safe and warm home. Through their specialist local energy advice team, they’ll support households ahead of winter to use energy safely, efficiently and affordably while building a network of support partners to provide further services to help address fuel poverty and the challenges households face.”
To find out more, visit www.scarf.org.uk