Free Domestic Energy Assessments

[Maggie]

The Sustainable Home Survey Company has received a grant from the Local Energy Assessment Fund (LEAF) that allows them to provide 1000 “Green Deal Ready” assessments to local residents before 31st March 2012. These assessments normally cost over £250, however this government grant means you can have one for free.

Assessments take around an hour and can be performed by a trained assessor on both houses and flats, regardless of if they are privately owned, rented or social housing. The results will be used to provide you with a personal energy saving report that outlines the energy efficiency of your house, methods you can use to improve it and information on the cost benefits, relevant grants, funding opportunities and freebies. The assessment puts you in a brilliant position to benefit early on from the Green Deal when it launches in October 2012.

If you wish to book an assessment at your convenience, or just want more information, please contact your local assessor Maggie on 07513369635, visit http://www.sustainablesurvey.org or ask here.

On another note, if anybody is involved with any community groups who need to raise funds, we have opportunities for doorsteppers in exchange for a contribution to the community group. Booking 1000 assessments in a month is proving tricky!

Thankyou,

Maggie

[Dorian]

What a kind offer Maggie,

If I take up this " too good to be true " opportunity will I then be under siege from sale's pitches from Double glazers , loft insulators and solar panel providers ?

Not one to be cynical , but ..........

[ Post made via Mobile Device ]

[Rachael]

You are too cynical, Dorian. A quick google search and a look at their website show they looked pretty kosher. A hint is the .org at the end of their website address - usually used by non-profit organisations.

I had a free energy survey when there was funding for it in the Perry Vale ward - not from this company but a similar one. Seemed too good to be true, but was actually completely legit, useful and free (funded by Boris, bless his fluffy blond head).

[Maggie]

Hi Dorian,

We are a Community Interest Company and therefore not-for-profit. We are not affiliated with any commercial outfits and there is an option on our data protection statement that you can check to not receive any more information from us besides your energy saving report (you can even choose not to receive that, but that defies the point somewhat). I assure that you will not be harassed by salespeople!

Hope that helps,

Maggie

p.s. thankyou rshdunlop!

[admin]

A quick google search and a look at their website show they looked pretty kosher. A hint is the .org at the end of their website address - usually used by non-profit organisations.

This post has elements typical of a classic spam/scam. I was undecided whether to pull it or not and was awaiting confirmation about its authenticity when offices re-open tomorrow. I will then make the position clear.

One of the first things that worried me was the website itself. The domain does not belong to a CIC but to a private individual who happens to be a director of another company. I'm afraid a .org is no protection or guide. Anybody can register and use a .org for any purpose good or bad -and DO!

So if everybody could hang fire on this. If the OP would like to PM me about the bona fides - that would be most welcome.

Admin

[sophie]

I am pretty sure I have seen a poster advertising this service through Lewisham Council. Anyone able to shed light?

[The Clown]

I tried to apply for one of these but was told that they only covered Perry Vale.

I would like to know if this postcode lottery has changed and would like to apply, if so.

I was a little put out that previously my postcode and the matter of a few hundred yards was what separated me from my ability to make an application. That didnt seem like a fair division of wealth to me within a borough boundary.....

[Rachael]

This is different from the Perry Vale scheme, which is funded by the Mayor's office and, for some unfathomable reason, is funded on an electoral ward basis. Perry Vale is the only ward in Lewisham that qualified. No one seemed to know why.

The funding for LEAF comes from central government.

[Maggie]

Sophie, I think the service you may be thinking of is either the Perry Vale Energy Savers or the Lewisham Insulation Partnership?

The Clown, we are not the Perry Vale Energy Savers, so there is no postcode boundary. However, unlike that scheme, we do not have any free things to give away unfortunately! Our assessments are specifically "Green Deal Ready" therefore they can be used in October to take advantage of the Green Deal without being assessed again. Within the report you'll receive the efficiency of your house (as in an Energy Performance Certificate), measures you can take to improve the efficiency (including the cost/benefits) and direction to the various funding, grants and freebies available.

[Dorian]

. Within the report you'll receive the efficiency of your house (as in an Energy Performance Certificate), measures you can take to improve the efficiency (including the cost/benefits) and direction to the various funding, grants and freebies available.

It would be interesting to know how " efficiency of my house is measured" and against what standard ?

It all sounds very good, can you give examples of the sort of measures that are recommended as an example and an example source of " various funding and grants " ?

Highly commendable work and all for free !!!

[Rachael]

Highly commendable work and all for free !!!

Not really free, if you are a tax payer.

http://ceo.decc.gov.uk/en/ceol/cms/abou ... _fund.aspx

[Dorian]

ot really free, if you are a tax payer.

Good point, I could see all this improvement as a rebate !

[Maggie]

. Within the report you'll receive the efficiency of your house (as in an Energy Performance Certificate), measures you can take to improve the efficiency (including the cost/benefits) and direction to the various funding, grants and freebies available.

It would be interesting to know how " efficiency of my house is measured" and against what standard ?

It all sounds very good, can you give examples of the sort of measures that are recommended as an example and an example source of " various funding and grants " ?

Highly commendable work and all for free !!!

The efficiency of your house will be measured using the assessment methods of an Energy Performance Certificate (The Energy Performance of Buildings (Certificates and Inspections) (England and Wales) Regulations 2007). We are all trained in the production of EPCs, however we are unable to give them out in that form as the criteria for them are about to change in April. The efficiency will be measured through looking at things such as your boiler, insulation, heating systems, glazing, light fittings etc. and entering them into the EPC software, along with house age, type etc.

The recommendations are split into no cost/low cost, moderate cost and considerate cost. So under no cost/low cost you may find recommendations such as using an energy monitor or a standby saver - many of which you can get free from energy providers. The main funding source covered in the report for longer term investments will be the Green Deal and you be shown the likely funding plan for it - i.e. how long it will take for your energy savings to pay the company fronting the costs.

[Maggie]

If anyone at the Sydenham Assembly didn't get a leaflet and is interested in booking an assessment please contact me (Maggie) on 07513369635, or book online at http://www.sustainablesurvey.org

Also, we are desperately in need of doorsteppers, so if anybody wants to book assessments and fundraise for their community groups, please, please, please get in touch! (You don't necessarily need to do it Sydenham).

Thankyou