Apply for insulation grants NOW to avoid disappointment! Advice from Dorset Energy Advice Centre

Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) are urgently encouraging residents of Dorset to apply for insulation grants now as there will not be the same opportunity come the end of 2012. DEAC receive more enquires for advice regarding insulation grants than anything else.

Come December 2012 the government intends to stop the existing grants mechanism available for insulation. Once these grants finish, a new loan scheme will be introduced and the repayments of the loan, added to the cost of already rapidly increasing electricity bill will make a big difference to peoples pockets.

DEAC urges everyone to take advantage NOW and help combat rising fuel prices by making their home more energy efficient.

The warning is clear, ‘do not risk waiting any longer, take advantage NOW before the grants are taken away’. The grants cover Loft and Cavity Wall insulation, offering a great saving off the cost of having these measures installed.

Phil Neale of DEAC said “This is a really important time for Dorset residents to take advantage of the grants currently available, I can’t emphasise this enough, ACT NOW before it’s too late and ends up costing more. We want Dorset to take full advantage of this current opportunity rather than missing out yet again, to find themselves having to pay a loan to get their properties fully insulated”.

Grant application enquiries, need to be received as soon as possible to avoid their withdrawal in 2012. For further information please contact Dorset Energy Advice Centre at info@deac.co.uk or Free phone at 0800 975 0166.

If you would like to find out more about Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Phil Neale or Peter Bywater, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of Dorset Energy Advice Centre) on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre Closes Roads in Bournemouth

Dorset’s multi award winning Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) has recently been closing roads in Bournemouth – for all the right reasons.

One of the most ambitious parts of the project to date has been the insulation of 18 buildings, containing an impressive 120 flats as well as 10 additional lofts of adjoining properties – all in one go.  The task was so big that two roads had to be closed off for two days!

The work was arranged and managed by the Bournemouth Landlords Project set up and run by DEAC on behalf of Bournemouth Borough Council.

Project Manager, Peter Bywater says “This was a difficult project to orchestrate but we got there in the end, and we had to close Purbeck Road on day one and St Michaels Road on day two to allow the work to be done due to the height of the buildings and needing to put ladders and vehicles in the road in some cases.  Altogether there were five teams of installers from Warmerhome (Southern) Ltd who carried out the essential work and did a fantastic job.”

This incredible project was complete and finished on time, and within budget!

The Landlords Project was started almost 6 years ago by DEAC under the management of Peter, it was established to provide free insulation (cavity wall and loft) to tenants living in privately rented accommodation. 

Since 2004, DEAC have worked with private landlords to insulate 8000 dwellings, saving 180,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide and £980,000 on tenants fuel bills annually, drawing in £1.6 million of utility funding. 

Peter says of the award winning Landlords Project “Since we started the project over five years ago it’s been a lot of hard work – but when we measure the positive impact and success of the project it makes it all worthwhile.  To have insulated 8000 dwellings in some of the most deprived areas of the county is absolutely outstanding.”

The project has been so successful and has shown such impressive results DEAC are in the process of to rolling it out to other areas – they have just completed 4000 dwellings for Southampton City Council, 700 dwellings have been insulated over the last couple of years in Poole and further dwellings will benefit from the projects expertise in Weymouth and Portland where the project recently launched.

If you are living in or own privately rented accommodation and would like to register for the Bournemouth or Weymouth and Portland Landlords’ Project, then please contact Peter Bywater on 01202 307416 or 0800 975 0166 or visit www.deac.co.uk or follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Blog site – just look for Dorset Energy Advice Centre.

If you would like to find out more about Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Peter Bywater, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of Dorset Energy Advice Centre) on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

Photos show the roads being closed, and the insulation taking place.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre Celebrates Success of Project with local MP’s

The 2010 winners of the coveted NEA’s Footprint Award, Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) recently organised a meeting with Tobias Ellwood Conservative MP for Bournemouth East and Conor Burns Conservative MP for Bournemouth West to help celebrate the success of the Warmer Homes Campaign as run by the NEA (National Energy Action) locally.

The annual week (19^th to 26^th November 2010) highlights the great work that has been achieved by all parties to help eradicate fuel poverty here in the UK.

Around 100 MP’s made visits to their local constituents across the UK to help celebrate the success of the Warmer Homes Campaign, and DEAC were instrumental in organising the visits by Tobias Ellwood and Conor Burns to a local landlady in Bournemouth who has benefitted from one of the projects run by DEAC locally.

Mrs Jean Hipkiss, who is a landlady in Boscombe has benefitted from DEAC’s Landlords Project for her three rental flats which are in the building she herself also occupies and has done for the last 30 years.

Due to DEAC’s award winning Landlords Project Mrs Hipkiss received free cavity wall and loft insulation, low energy light bulbs and general energy advice for her property.

Pete Bywater from DEAC says, “We love to see people benefitting from our Landlords Project and Mrs Hipkiss has been a perfect example of the work that we do in keeping people warm in their own homes.  That’s why we wanted to showcase this as part of the Warmer Homes Campaign, and demonstrate the success of the project to Mr Ellwood and Mr Burns to show exactly the effect we’re having in their constituencies.”

For more information about the projects and work that DEAC undertake please contact DEAC on 01202 469907 or 0800 975 0166 or visit www.deac.co.uk.

If you would like to find out more about Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Pete Bywater, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of Dorset Energy Advice Centre) on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

Photo attached show (L to R) top row – Pete Bywater (DEAC), XXXXXXX, Phil Neale (Director of DEAC); bottom row – Tobias Ellwood, Mrs Jean Hipkiss, Conor Burns

Dorset Energy Advice Centre Offers Advice On Having a Green Christmas

–      5 top tips on  saving energy, money and the planet

Dorset’s multi award winning Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) are often asked ways in which we can all help the environment around Christmas time, so that the Christmas Tree is not the only thing that’s Green this year!

Christmas is renowned as being a joyous time for family and friends to spend time together, more so than any other time of the year.  But it also creates a huge proportion of the years unnecessary waste, according to DEAC.

Phil Neale, Director of DEAC says “We all love Christmas, there’s no doubt about it.  But shockingly it’s been recently reported that over 750 million extra wine bottles are to be disposed over during the Christmas week as well as enough Christmas wrapping paper to cover the island of Guernsey!  And in 2001, 7.5 million Christmas trees were bought, but only 1.2 million recycled – that’s the equivalent of enough trees to fill the Albert Hall three times being unnecessarily sent to landfill! So here at DEAC we’ve put together a list of 5 top tips on how to save the environment over Christmas whilst still having a great time!  So here goes…”

5. Source your Christmas Tree from an ecologically sustainable supplier, and make sure the roots are still on the tree which will ensure you can replant it in the garden after the festivities are over.  If you’re buying an artificial one make sure it’s made of recycled material.

4. Choose ethically sourced presents as much as possible. Gifts such as DVD players and coffee makers generated 780,000 tonnes of greenhouse gases last year, even before they were unwrapped, due to fuel consumption during production, transportation and raw materials alone.  Use a website such as www.goodgifts.org.uk or Nigels Eco Store where you can buy ethical gifts for loved ones.

3. Naturally made decorations such as holly and mistletoe will give your home a traditional festive feel, and can be composted in January.

When it comes to Christmas lights in your garden and around the exterior of your house, why not give your neighbours a break and leave them off this year? It will make you significant savings on your energy bills and allow your naturally made and traditional decorations to shine.

2. Buy recycled wrapping paper. When you’re wrapping presents, only use as much paper as you need, and wrap using pretty coloured ribbon instead of sellotape. This makes re-using the paper much easier, and the ribbon can be used again too.

1. Christmas is a time of year when we’re more likely to use more energy in our homes than at other times – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Here are a few pointers:

• Turn your Christmas lights off during the day and when you go to bed
• If your Christmas lights are on, turn off your main room lights
• Extra activity and people in your home will mean it is easier to keep warm – turn your thermostat down a degree or two
• Turn your heating off when you’re cooking the Christmas dinner – heat from the kitchen will keep surrounding areas warm.

Phil Neale finishes off by adding “Please do have a fantastic Christmas, but whatever you do please also consider the environment and saving energy – it’s about saving money to the benefit of your pocket too!  And do keep warm, and if anybody wants any help and advice during the cold weather we’re always here to offer help and advice.”

For more information contact DEAC on 01202 469907 or 0800 975 0166 or visit www.deac.co.uk.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre Supporting The Big Heat Campaign along with Sir Terry Wogan & Dame Joan Bakewell

Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) have recently announced their backing and support to a national initiative called The Big Heat.

This campaign fund encourages those that can afford to, to donate part or all of their winter fuel allowance to The Big Heat fund.

Shockingly, according to published figures, over 100 people in Bournemouth and Poole died last year due to cold weather related illnesses. The mortality figures for the South West were 2,500 deaths!!

Phil Neale, Director of Dorset Energy Advice Centre says “These figures are absolutely shocking and completely unnecessary in this day and age, we’re talking about just a 6 to 10 week period of cold weather! So we’re encouraging everyone to get behind and help us support this initiative.”

Phil goes on to explain more about how the campaign works, “The Winter Fuel Payment is paid automatically to all eligible older people. For many people, this is a vital payment. But if anyone feels that they’d like to give some or all of the Payment to help other local older people, please contact the Dorset Energy Advice Centre on 01202 469907 or contact The Big Heat project direct on 01202 292255.

Nationally the scheme has achieved endorsement and backing from Dame Joan Bakewell and Sir Terry Wogan plus many others – all with the main aim of combating fuel poverty amongst the elderly.

Phil adds one final point “Please help us to support this initiative if you can, and if you are able to, please contact us today regarding leaflets and information packs that can be passed on to friends and family members who might also consider supporting this campaign with us.”

For more information contact DEAC on 01202 469907 or 0800 975 0166 or visit http://www.deac.co.uk. DEAC also offer extensive help to the elderly who may be suffering down to the current cold snap, again anyone want to know more about fuel bills, heating costs, or general help and advice on keeping warm contact DEAC immediately on the numbers provided.

If you would like to find out more about Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Phil Neale, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of Dorset Energy Advice Centre) on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre To Tackle Fuel Poverty in Weymouth

Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) is pleased to announce the launch of their multi-award winning Landlords’ Project in Weymouth. The scheme is set to help hundreds of tenants who live in privately rented accommodation keep warm, save money and reduce condensation.

Phil Neale, Centre Manager commented: “Commencement of the project in Weymouth could not have come at a better time – with widespread cutbacks and winter now upon us, we hope to improve the living standards for private tenants in Weymouth.”

In 2004, DEAC identified that many people were living in rented dwellings in and around Bournemouth that were not properly insulated. Not only were these dwellings cold, damp and energy inefficient, but tenants were paying large energy bills. Many of the landlords of these properties wished to help their tenants, but financially, were not always in a position to do so, or found it difficult to access existing grants. As a result, DEAC established the Landlords’ Project and have to date secured £1.9 million of utility funding to help improve these properties.

Since then the project has gone from strength to strength and has been rolled out across more of the County. To date the Dorset Energy Advice Centre’s Landlords’ Project has insulated around 14,000 dwellings in some of the most deprived areas of Dorset and Hampshire for 1100 landlords and some 16,000 tenants have benefitted. They have saved over 14,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year, which equates to a financial saving on tenants and landlords fuel bills of £1.4 million annually.

The aim of the Weymouth project is to ensure that all dwellings are properly insulated with loft and cavity wall insulation, as well as providing energy efficient light bulbs, hot water tank jackets and advice to those who need it. The project will

be working alongside Weymouth Borough Council and is open to all Weymouth Landlords who own privately rented accommodation or tenants living in privately rented accommodation. Priority will be given to landlords of licensed houses of multiple occupation, charities who house vulnerable people and those in receipt of benefits and allowances, although will cover all rental property in the town.

Peter Bywater said: “If you would like help to insulate your home or save money on your bills and don’t fall into this category, don’t despair. The Dorset Energy Advice Centre is a not-for-profit organisation and we offer free and impartial advice to any individual or company. Get in touch with us and we will assist you to help solve your energy issues.”

If you are living in or own privately rented accommodation and would like to register for the Weymouth Landlords’ Project, then please contact DEAC on 01202 469907 or 0800 975 0166 or visit www.deac.co.uk. 

If you would like to find out more about Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Phil Neale or Pete Bywater, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of Dorset Energy Advice Centre) on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

The project also currently runs with the councils in Bournemouth and Poole

Dorset Energy Advice Centre Win Roll of Honour Position in National Award for Sustainability.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) are pleased to announce that they have been appointed a Roll of Honour position in the national Sustainable FM Award (2010) for Most Sustainable Public Sector Organisation.

The Dorset Energy Advice Centre is a not-for-profit organisation that was set up 15 years ago by Phil Neale, Centre Manager and the Borough of Poole, since then DEAC have provided free help and advice to over 190,000 people in the County.

Phil Neale commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be listed in the Roll of Honour, this national award provides recognition for all the team’s hard work and dedication to reducing carbon footprints and helping to promote the issue of social responsibility. We are very pleased to put Dorset on the map as a County proactively working towards sustainability.”

The award paid particular attention to the quality and range of projects that the DEAC have inspired and managed, their partnerships with other pan-Dorset organisations and their commitment to reducing the carbon footprint within the County through projects such as the award winning Landlords’ Project.

Ralph Scrivens, Managing Director said: “Congratulations to all the winners. This year, the quality of entrants was exceptional, these awards provide recognition for the superb work that these organisations have achieved in contributing to saving our planet.”

DEAC are now looking forward to their projects being published within the Sustainable FM magazine (circulation 32,000), which is the only magazine that is looking at environmental issues related to the facilities management market.

If you would like to find out more about The Dorset Energy Advice Centre or would like to interview Phil Neale, Centre Manager/Director, please contact Darren Northeast of Spiral MPR (working on behalf of the Dorset Energy Advice Centre on 01202 676762 or darren@spiralmpr.co.uk.

First ‘Green Landlord Awards’ given at Landlords Conference

Bournemouth’s first ‘Green Landlord Awards’ were given at this years Bournemouth landlords conference at AFC Bournemouth on Friday 8^th October.

The winners were given the award in recognition of their involvement and support of the ‘Bournemouth landlord insulation project’ which is run by Dorset Energy Advice Centre (DEAC) which itself has received 3 accolades over the last 18 months for its success in insulating and assisting almost 8000 privately rented dwellings in the town working with over 800 landlords, the most successful scheme of its kind in the country.

Three awards were presented, the first to Richard Price of the NLA (National Landlords Association) who is also a local landlord and gave a great deal of support and advocacy to the scheme to help it get off the ground initially and continues to support its good work today. The second award was given to Dave Wells the largest local landlord, who was involved with the project from the start and offered support and allowed all of his portfolio to be insulated and improved. The third award was given to Michael Scott of Scott Castle letting agents for persistence in working with DEAC and all his landlords to ensure that a large proportion of his managed property was insulated.

Each landlord received a trophy and framed certificate in appreciation of their achievements.

Dorset Energy Advice Centre helping to Inspire Change

Dorset Energy Advice Centre are pleased to announce their involvement with the Inspire Change project – an exciting sustainable community project in West Howe (www.westhowe.net). The project was founded to assist people that live in an area of multiple deprivation and aims to help increase employment and training, establish a more connected and safer community, as well as supporting the youth. 

The project has been established in a local shop in Cunningham Crescent, called Inspiring Change, the purpose of which is to act as a neighbourhood drop-in centre, point of contact and learning zone. In short, it is the driving force for change.

Martha Blackburn, project leader and the Bournemouth Borough’s Council’s Fair Share Neighbourhood Worker for West Howe says: “This project has demonstrated the power that individuals and organisations have to create positive social change for communities.”

Indeed, the list of organisations that have signed up to support and actively participate in the initiative is certainly impressive: local councilors; vicars; police; faithworks; CAB; the credit union; the fire service and the Dorset Energy Advice Centre are just a few of the proactive organisations dedicated to bringing about opportunities and workshops within the West Howe community.

We are donating our time and expert knowledge to help individuals tackle fuel poverty. DEAC offers outreach energy advice to the West Howe community on Tuesday mornings at the Inspiring Change Shop. To date, we have offered free advice on grants and initiatives that are available to help insulate people’s home, as well as offering tips that are free or low-cost changes that people can implement to save money on their energy bills. We have also donated energy saving equipment such as energy efficient light bulbs to individuals to reduce their energy consumption.

This type of project is absolutely essential to help inspire these communities and offer them opportunities to help improve their standard of living, access to employment and above all provide that window of hope for the future. We would like to see many more organisations and individuals getting on onboard with the project. As Napolean Bonepart once said: ‘Those who have changed the universe have never done it by changing officials, but always by inspiring the people.

For more information, please visit the West Howe website: www.westhowe.net, or if you would like to receive free and impartial advice on any Energy related issue, then log onto the Dorset Energy Advice Centre’s website: www.deac.co.uk.

1010 Dorset – DEAC invites you to join the rest of the world!

10:10 is a global campaign to commit to bringing carbon emissions down by ten percent annually, starting in 2010

The campaign has named this Saturday (10/10/10) as ‘Global Day of Doing’ with activities happening all over the world and thousands of people taking simple steps to reduce their emissions and cut carbon.

Locally, the occasion will be marked by a bike ride from Coy Pond (starting under the viaduct over Coy Pond Road) to Mudeford.

Meet the riders at 10.00 as above or at around 10:30 – 10:45 at Bournemouth Pier, or at around 11 ish at Boscombe Pier.

After the ride, we’ll be stopping for lunch at around 12:30 in Urban Reef, a cafe with locally-sourced food next to Boscombe Pier.

Come along to show your support and enjoy a great day.  According to the weather forecast, we could be looking at 22 / 23 degree sunshine, so let’s make the most of the free energy that will make the day bright and warm!