Over 15 million homes across Great Britain are energy inefficient, with an EPC of C or below, and in need of upgrading. With higher energy bills likely to remain for most people over the next decade, improving these inefficient homes is vital. One major barrier is the lack of impartial and personalised support available for people wanting to make changes.
Independent research shows that our energy one-stop shops are an effective way to provide people with energy efficiency advice and support. These services result in warmer homes and lower bills. They also boost the uptake of low carbon heating technologies and drive behaviour change to support local and national net zero transition plans.
In 2023/24, our energy one-stop shops helped 161,100 people in the UK. Learn more about the one-stop shops we’ve delivered, and how we’re working with local governments to bring this approach to more people in England.
What are energy one-stop shops?
Energy one-stop shops offer people access to a range of information, advice and support on home energy upgrades in one place. This helps them to make informed decisions to save money on their energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions.
The one-stop shop approach brings together expertise and leadership across multiple sectors. This results in consumer-focused services, with less duplication and fewer gaps in service provision.
One-stop shops can include signposting to and the provision of:
Home energy efficiency and upgrade advice and support.
Access to a network of local, trusted and pre-approved installers and assessors.
Support for people to access available funding sources for home improvements.
What are the benefits?
Help people save money on their energy bills by providing actionable advice.
Support those living in or at risk of fuel poverty by linking them to the financial support they could be eligible for.
Encourage and support people to adopt low carbon heating technologies, such as heat pumps, by offering personalised and expert advice.
Connect people with local, certified installers.
Refer people to funding or green finance schemes.
Promote low carbon heating as a low-risk option.
Encourage support and acceptance for local and national net zero transition plans.
Improve energy supply security by reducing energy needs.
Reduce energy costs due to less demand on the grid.
Support people to take advantage of flexible prices.
How can we help you to plan and implement an energy one-stop shop?
From setting out a long-term vision and making the business case, to designing and implementing services, we’re here to help. We can support you with the following areas:
targeting
awareness building
digital energy advice
phone energy advice
in-home assessments
referral and partnership management
grant finder
installation service
grants and loans management
We also support with the evaluation of impact (kWh reductions in energy consumption) and carbon reduction impact (tCO2 of carbon savings associated with measures installed) from the delivery of these services.
Our expertise and experience mean we’re also well placed to advise on governance structures, branding and risks for this kind of initiative.
Speak to us today to find out how we can support you.
We deliver Home Energy Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It’s a key resource for people in Scotland looking to make their homes more efficient and cheaper to heat. It provides tailored advice and financial support on home energy efficiency, sustainable travel and low carbon living. Information is accessible in home, online and over the phone.
During the 23/24 financial year, we gave free advice to 128,791 people. Our advice will deliver around £4.7 million in lifetime savings on fuel bills for low-income households.
We help manage the Nest Warm Homes scheme for the Welsh Government. Nest provides free, impartial energy advice to people across Wales. Our contract for this work has been extended for seven more years.
Energy Advice London ran from November 2022 to May 2024. The service, funded by the Mayor of London and delivered by us, supported Londoners to reduce their energy and water use. It also offered advice on keeping warm at home, making energy efficiency upgrades, accessing financial support and installing renewable energy systems.
Over 18 months, the service:
Provided 16,000 people with advice and support via its website. Of this, 2,000 people made use of the local support directory, and 3,500 used the financial support page on the website.
Supported over 3,500 people through the telephone advice service.
Had a presence at 74 events, where the team engaged with partners and residents.
Take Charge is a free and impartial service that aims to support vulnerable people in or at risk of fuel poverty in the North West. The programme helps households to reduce energy bills, get support with debt, access benefits and financial support, and secure funding for energy efficient home improvements.
Set up in 2023, the five-year programme is funded by Electricity North West. We deliver the marketing for the programme, working in partnership with Citizens Advice in the North West, which provides the advice.
During the 2023/24 financial year, the programme received over 3,000 enquires and calls.
New energy one-stop shops
Building on the success of these projects, we’re working with partner organisations to launch more one-stop shops in the UK. These include:
From spring 2024, people living in the North East have been able to access a free one-stop shop for energy advice. It guides residents through the steps to make home energy improvements, helping them to reduce their carbon emissions and energy bills.
In West Yorkshire, we’re developing a one-stop shop to help residents lower their bills and improve the energy efficiency of their homes. The service is launching in 2024.
Are you interested in developing an energy one-stop shop?
Speak to us today to find out how we can support you.
