For those of us that are affected by fuel poverty (low income households unable to afford energy costs) we may have just the remedy. The environmental charity Groundwork, one of Good Energy’s partners, has launched the Green Doctor scheme in order to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions from peoples’ houses. The Doctors make free pre-arranged home visits to help educate about efficient use of appliances.

A ‘house call’ typically involves:

• An energy survey to establish energy use and where it could be used more efficiently
• Advice to the householder on appropriate energy use and how behaviour changes can save both CO2 emissions and money
• Sign-posting the householder to other services and grants available from national and local sources to combat fuel poverty, including loft and wall insulation
• Installation of energy efficiency measures
• A Green Doctor prescription, with energy & money-saving advice tailored to the individuals needs and requirements

Measures fitted during the visit include:

• Energy Meters (and discussion of what the readings mean!),
• Energy saving light bulbs,
• Aerated tap and shower heads (reducing the amount of hot water used),
• Heat reflective radiator panels (to reduce heat lost to outside walls),
• Smart Plugs (which switch TVs etc off completely, but you still use your remote control)
• Hot water tank jackets
• Draught excluders

Groundwork’s Green Doctor scheme is currently operating in Leeds, Leicester, Slough, Hillingdon & Islington.

In order to reduce vehicle emissions from his visits, the Slough Green Doctor runs an electric vehicle.

To find out if there is a Green Doctor operating in your area, check Groundwork local office contact details.

General details of the scheme

Hillingdon residents (Yeading area only currently) can contact their 3 Green Doctors directly on 01895-832662. The Doctors are eager to prescribe measures to help you cut your fuel bills!

It’s a fantastic scheme and one that we hope is replicated across the country.