Green Doctors have a cure for high energy bills

East Midlands residents can access free energy support from regional charity Groundwork Five Counties to save money on bills and keep homes warm, especially important with the colder months starting.

The charity’s Green Doctors are trained energy-efficiency experts that offer home visits. People get impartial advice to take control of their bills, receive energy saving measures, and help with accessing other services that may help them.

More than a dozen Green Doctors support thousands of people across the East Midlands every year, and on average, a household can save £325 a year by following the advice given.

Michelle Baron, Partnership and Delivery Manager at Groundwork, says: “High energy bills affect everyone, but those who are on a low income or have health issues are hit the hardest – we are here to help.

“Far too often we hear of people not wanting to put their heating on due to energy costs, even in the middle of winter. Living in the cold can make people ill, impact children’s development and worsen existing health problems, as well as cause frozen water pipes and damp or mould.

“If you make an appointment, a fully qualified Green Doctor will visit your home to have a look at the issues you are facing and come up with practical solutions that work for you.

“Most homes will have some heat loss, for instance through draughty windows or doors. We will identify these and put in place seals to help keep the cold out, as well as install LED light bulbs, radiator foil and other energy-saving measures.

“We can also look at your meter readings and bills to identify any overcharging, and help you get back money you may be owed. Equally, if you are in energy debt, we can support with getting this set right or come up with a manageable plan.

“There are also a lot of energy grants, benefits and schemes out there which not everyone is aware of, which can cover big costs like boiler replacement, wall and loft insulation, and more. It’s a great service that has helped many people make a huge dent in their energy bills.”

The Green Doctor is completely free of charge as it is funded by the national and local funding schemes. It is available to people of any age and background, whether you own your home, rent, or are a council or social housing tenant.

Find out more about this service and get a home visit: https://www.groundwork.org.uk/fivecounties/green-doctor/