ECOE retrofit assessor Andy Cook investigates a client property.
Exeter Community Energy (ECOE) has now sent the first report to an ‘able to pay’ client looking to transform their home for a low carbon future. Overall, over 200 homeowners or landlords in Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay have already enquired into ECOE’s retrofit service. Therefore, in the next two months we intend to deliver at least 28 more reports.
So, due to the strong demand for this service, we have trained and recruited several staff, including retrofit project manager Harry Bonnell and operations manager Lorraine Haskell. As such, ECOE’s team has assembled a highly experienced and skilled team to deliver impartial home energy efficiency advice. Yet we still have several vacancies to work with us as contractors. Also, we are looking for partners able to deliver retrofit home improvements for several projects where we have funding for this work.
From fuel poverty to ‘able to pay’
The “able to pay” retrofit service, launched in 2023, advises people about making their homes as green as possible. ECOE retrofit assessors analyse clients’ properties in detail. Then, they produce a whole house retrofit plan, explaining different scenarios that might meet the goals you have for your improvement. This includes advice on any funding you may be eligible for and help to find reputable contractors. We are currently in discussions with an architects’ firm to form a partnership to provide a more sophisticated service leading to installations. To find out more about more about this service and register your interest, visit this page.
However so far much of ECOE’s retrofit work has come from government-funded schemes for people in fuel poverty such as the Home Upgrade Grant: Phase 2 (HUG2) and Local Energy Advice Demonstrator (LEAD). We continue to actively discuss and support these and other new projects with Devon County Council and the district councils in the five areas we serve. Also we have some funding to pilot home visits for people not quite ready to do a big home upgrade.
Help wanted
As such ECOE has the following vacancies in its retrofit service:
- Two retrofit advisors
- Retrofit assessors for East Devon and Mid Devon District Council areas
- Retrofit coordinators for East Devon and Mid Devon District Council areas
- Two home energy advisors for Teignbridge
- Community engagement part-time for the East Devon and District Council area
We are also looking for partners who can provide the following services for government-funded projects in fuel poor households. We have opportunities in Exeter, East Devon, Mid Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay for:
- Handyman services
- Electricians
- Plumbing and heating
- Window repairs
- Carpentry
- Fitting registry plates after removal of Agas, wood burners and similar
If you can offer help in any of these areas, please email info@ecoe.org.uk.
