Helping Brenda go from chilly to cosy while saving energy

The cold weather has many people looking for ways to save money on their energy bills. 81-year-old Brenda from Leicester turned to charity service the Green Doctor, who provided her with free support that saved her hundreds of pounds a year, along with a heated blanket that keeps her warm for just 4 pence an hour.

Brenda lives alone and relies on her pension which leaves her with little disposable income. She was worried about staying warm during the colder months, while her energy bills keep on rising. She would often decide not to turn the heating on even with dropping temperatures, resulting in her health worsening and cold setting into her home.

At a community event Brenda met Fayad, a Green Doctor energy and money-saving expert from regional charity Groundwork Five Counties. After sharing her worries, Fayad visited her at home to review her energy usage and find ways to save money while keeping warm.

Brenda says “I thought I knew all there was about being energy efficient, but Fayad gave me advice that was completely new to me. He showed me how to find a cheaper energy tariff, which has made a real difference on my bills.

“His energy advice was great too. I always use the fast setting on my washing machine, thinking it would be quicker and therefore use less energy. I was completely wrong! He taught me that the eco-setting uses around 50% less energy, as the machine takes extra time for clothes to soak. I never knew that, but the eco setting is all I use now.

“He also gave me free LED bulbs, they save about £5 a year each. All these small changes save me hundreds of pounds every year, which I’m really pleased about.”

Fayad also gave Brenda a free heated blanket, which uses 150 watts per hour which equates to just 4 pence. This way, she can stay warm without turning the heating up too much. However, Fayad did warn her not to put the heating too low in her mission to save money.

Fayad says: “All rooms should always be at least 18 degrees. When it’s too cold, condensation will form that can become mould. That can have serious consequences for your health as well as the condition of your home.

“As a Green Doctor I will always give people bespoke advice depending on their worries and needs, as well as free energy-saving measures. We currently have heated blankets available and Winter Warmer Packs which include gloves, scarves, hats, hot water bottles, and more.

“This is a fully funded service available in the East Midlands to people of any age and background, whether they own their home, rent, or are a council or social housing tenant. A Green Doctor visit won’t cost you a penny, but will save you plenty!”

For more information and to get a free home visit, visit the website: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor/