Freedom of information response

Energy efficiency

Publication date: 
Tuesday 16 May 2023
Request: 

We are a team of students from the University of Warwick researching solutions that ensure equal access to safe, affordable and sustainable energy across all communities. 

Specifically, we are looking at ways of distributing information to households on how to reduce energy consumption. This would include things like government grants such as the Home Upgrade Grant and ECO4.

Here are some of the questions that we are currently exploring, and we would greatly appreciate your input:

1. What methods do you utilise to distribute information regarding home energy efficiency (such as grants or energy saving advice)? e.g. Letters, phone calls etc

2. Do you specifically target this at low-income households, or do you distribute this to every household in your area?

3. Would you be able to share any of the approximate annual costs involved in these distribution methods?

Response: 
  1. What methods do you utilise to distribute information regarding home energy efficiency (such as grants or energy saving advice)? e.g. Letters, phone calls etc

Refer to the council’s website for private homes

Help with energy efficiency | Help to improve your private housing | Thurrock Council

Other methods include

Private Housing sending targeted messages on social media to raise public awareness of energy grants schemes eg sustainable warmth and ECO3 .

Landlord Forum meetings  to increase awareness of their eligibility of green energy grant schemes.

  1. Do you specifically target this at low-income households, or do you distribute this to every household in your area?

We  target specific low income areas with an EPC rating below D to increase the take up of energy grant scheme.

Also, the council has a run general campaign to raise public awareness of help available to residents.

  1. Would you be able to share any of the approximate annual costs involved in these distribution methods?

Private housing marketing campaign costs have been around £1.8k

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Request reference:
FOI 12708