Northpower expands Home Energy Education Programme
- silvereyecomms
- May 18, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Whangarei Leader
May 18, 2022
Northpower is stepping up its programme to healp people save money on their power bills thanks to additional funding from the Support for Energy Education in Communities (SEEC) programme.
The SEEC programme is part of a suite of government initiatives focused on lifting people out of energy hardship, and after initially receiving funding late last year and running a successful Home Energy Education programme in which individual home energy assessments were provided to 220 homes, Northpower were invited to apply for more funds to grow their programme further.
Northpower's Home Energy education programme used trained Energy Assessors to meet with residents and provide them with personalised "energy education" on how to make their homes more energy efficient, help find the lowest cost electricity retail plan via Powerswitch and supply them with free Ecobulb LEDs and energy efficient showerheads.
The programme has already saved 220 households more than an estimated $175,000 per year on their power bills, and with the extra funding, Northpower can now reach over 480 additionl households.
Recent research by Northpower highlighted that of the 2200 customers that responded over 45% said that paying their monthly bill causes financial stress for their household.
Rachel Wansbone, Northpower's Customer Excellence Manager, says she is therefore delighted that they can expand their Home Energy Education programme.
"We know that energy hardship is a real issue for many in our region. Northpower is aiming to play its part in helping lift our vunerable customers out of energy hardship through education, practical advice and energy saving devices and working together with trusted partners in the community," says Ms Wansbone.
Northpower will continue to work with community partners to reach households and provide support to those in need across their network. This targeted support includes helping households through home energy assessments, providing free LED lightbulbs and efficient showerheads, and providing practical advice on how to save on their power bills.
If you are interested in having a home energy assessment done, contact Northpower's Community Outreach Facillitator, Arriane Christie on 021587900.
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