Whether you are moving or just reviewing, let me help you with the choosing.
Energy for Essex
I need your help please for a survey that will close on 18th February. Go to Communityenergysouth.org and you’ll see a massive orange banner at the top of the website that takes you to the survey or you can find it under the ‘news’ tab on the website.
I am working with Community Energy South, and together with Essex District Council we are helping households by signposting them to grants for home improvements which will result in lower energy bills. Sometimes a home visit is required by a specialist to decide on the best course of action. As an example, one lady had her gas boiler moved to an outside wall, but it was installed badly in her bedroom with lots of pipework. Needless to say the company that did the work went out of business. It would be better to go all electric. Using an organisation that is working with Essex District Council should give people the confidence that they will be directed to the right help and the work will be done by verified tradespeople
We have put together a home energy use questionnaire that takes just 2 minutes to complete that everyone needs to be filling out – it is going to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard in planning the future of our energy system.
Something that affects all of us: our homes, our electricity, and the future of the Energy system in Essex.
This questionnaire helps us understand how homes in Essex use energy, what type of heating they have, how energy efficient they are, and what appliances they rely on. We will then work with Essex County Council to feed this information back to the electricity network operators. The goal? To make sure the electricity Grid is ready for the future.
How can the grid be ready for the future?
The demand for electricity is going to rise significantly. If the Grid isn’t prepared, we could face shortages, inefficiencies, and even higher costs for everyone. So we really need to collect information about people’s current use and potential plans, so that the Grid can be updated and prepared for rises in demand. If network operators don’t have enough information from households, they might underestimate demand in certain areas.
Imagine if you get an electric vehicle or a heat pump, but the Grid wasn’t upgraded to support it and suddenly, your block might not have enough power to go around.
More about community action
The survey is also a way for the community to take collective action. The more data we have, the better network operators can plan for future demand, ensuring there’s enough electricity for every home, vehicle, and device.
How can people fill it in?
It’s super easy! You can complete it online in just two minutes, and the answers aren’t hard to find. It’s basic questions about your bills and energy use, some questions about how efficient your home is, and all we’re looking for is your best guess really. Go to Communityenergysouth.org and you’ll see a massive orange banner at the top of the website that takes you to the survey or you can find it under the ‘news’ tab on the website.
You also might be getting someone knocking on your door in the next two weeks or leaving a postcard with more information about the survey.. Takes just 2 minutes to fill in! And your future self will thank you for it!
Whether you are moving or just reviewing, let me help you with the choosing.
Pamela Hatswell, The Shrink, contact me on support@shrinkourbills.co.uk