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Free advice on offer to Leicester residents to help cut carbon and save cash

Published on Wednesday, November 20, 2024

3 minute read

climate ready leicester graphic

EXPERT advice to help people reduce their energy bills, cut carbon emissions and help keep warm at home is now available to anyone living in Leicester.

The city council is offering a new online tool, face-to-face drop-in advice sessions and detailed home surveys to support people with saving energy and reducing their bills.

It’s all part of the new Climate Ready Leicester Plan which aims to move towards net zero in a way that is affordable and practical for people.

Launched today (20 November), a new Homewise digital advice tool, developed by Energy Saving Trust, will help people identify the energy efficiency improvements they can make to their homes. By completing a simple online survey, people can get a personalised action plan tailored to their needs and budget. They’ll also get a breakdown of the cost for any improvements and potential savings.

Free, in-person home energy advice is also now available at weekly clinics running at some local libraries and community centres. These sessions will provide advice on how people can make their homes more energy efficient and about any grants they may be eligible for.

Appointments are available to be booked online, while some sessions are free to drop-in.

These are currently running at the following venues:

  • The Peepul Centre, Orchardson Avenue: Tuesdays, 11am to 2pm
  • Leicester Central Library, Bishop Street: Wednesdays, 10am to 12pm (by appointment only)
  • African Caribbean Centre, Maidstone Road: Wednesdays, 1pm to 4pm

A detailed warm home survey can also be carried out with a pre-arranged home visit. These will provide a detailed report on the best ways to upgrade your home to reduce energy bills, lower carbon emissions, and enhance home comfort and warmth. The warm home survey is free to some households, but will otherwise be £100 for a home visit and report.

Cllr Geoff Whittle, assistant city mayor for environment and transport, said: “The climate emergency affects us all and everyone can play a part to make Leicester Climate Ready. We aim to make Leicester Climate Ready in ways that are affordable and practical for people – and which improve their quality of life.

"We are making expert advice available to help people heat and power their homes. The free advice will be easy to get. It will also help reduce our carbon footprint and save money.

“We want to put people first in our efforts to support the journey towards net zero. Every single action we take is a step in the right direction.”

Laura Atkinson, business development manager at Energy Saving Trust said: “Leicester City Council are leading the way in empowering its residents to identify home energy improvements that will benefit them.

“We know the value of personalised advice in helping people to make informed choices on how to make their home cheaper to heat and lower carbon emissions - our expert tool Homewise was created with this aim.

“The Climate Ready Leicester Plan is a significant step towards a sustainable future for the city and we look forward to seeing it benefit as many people as possible.” 

To find out more about the advice and support on offer as part of the Climate Ready Leicester Plan visit www.leicester.gov.uk/ClimateEmergency

A new action guide that includes more than 50 actions that people can take to help reduce their carbon impact at home and in their daily lives is also available to download.

The new Climate Ready Leicester Plan sets out more than 90 actions intended to help the city further reduce its carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate over the next five years. It represents the next phase in Leicester’s bid to become a net zero and climate adapted city.

The new plan for warm homes, lower bills, solar energy, new skills and jobs, clean air and a greener, resilient city will build on substantial previous investment and schemes to reduce local carbon emissions and adapt the city in response to the climate emergency.