With the recent increases in gas and electricity prices, saving energy in the home is becoming an increasingly important issue for householders, and Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is working in partnership with Kent Energy Centre on a new initiative that assists people with ways to save.

To support residents, Tunbridge Wells Borough Council is working with the Kent Energy Centre to offer selected households a free home visit from an energy doctor. The energy doctors are trained to advise people on how to reduce their energy bills and make their homes more environmentally friendly.

The types of advice on offer range from simple no-cost activities, such as checking to ensure that heating controls are being used correctly, to more in-depth assistance such as loft and cavity-wall insulation and central heating improvements.

The energy doctors will also be able to provide a range of complementary services, such as organising fire safety and benefit entitlement checks.

The energy doctors will be in the Borough until 24 April in the following wards:

Brenchley and Horsmonden
Broadwater
Capel
Culverden
Goudhurst and Lamberhurst
Pantiles and St. Mark's
Park
Rusthall
Sherwood
Southborough and High Brooms
Southborough North
Speldhurst and Bidborough
St. John's

Richard Powell, Director of Services to the Community, said: ‘With rising costs in the home this new initiative is a free opportunity for people to get advice on how to make savings. It couldn’t be easier to book a visit and it is convenient as the energy doctors come to you. We are expecting to visit over 150 households.’

The free home visits are initially only being offered to selected residents, primarily the elderly, vulnerable and those on low-incomes. Letters have already been sent to around 7,000 homes in the Borough.

The Council would also encourage all residents to contact the Kent Energy Centre whose trained advisors are able to offer similar services over the telephone. The number to call is free phone 0800 358 6669 (please quote reference HV6).

All residents can benefit from subsidised loft and cavity-wall insulation. Residents receiving qualifying benefits may also be entitled to free central heating, loft and cavity-wall installation.

This new initiative is funded jointly by Tunbridge Wells Borough Council and Defra. The Kent Energy Centre is a not for profit organisation offering free and impartial energy efficiency advice to residents across the county.

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