EH21 - Energy Efficiency Information/Training Centre

What is the Energy House 21?
To help us achieve our objectives, Warrington Borough Council established an innovative project in partnership with Warrington Housing Association and Salford University.

This resulted in a domestic energy information training and advice centre, the Energy House 21. Contained within a house, it is packed full of information to train and inform people in making financial savings on their energy bills, on tackling fuel poverty and in meeting our environmental targets. The scheme was initially funded by the Council, Warrington Housing Association, Landfill Tax and contributions from over 60 private companies.

Opening Hours
Services are provided from the Energy House at 302 - 304 Manchester Road, Warrington normally during the following hours -

* Monday - Thursday 10.30 - 13.00 / 14.00 - 17.00 hours

* Thursday 13.00 - 17.00 hours

* Friday 10.30 - 13.00 / 14.00 - 16.00 hours

But please phone first on 01925 815481 to confirm

The main aims of the project are:
* To provide an assisted Home Energy Efficiency Advice and Training Centre open to all residents and stakeholders within the Borough.
* To demonstrate how existing dwellings can be refurbished resulting in lower energy consumption, minimum maintenance and eliminate the risk of serious condensation problems.
* To provide visual and written information on specific energy conservation measures for the general public.
* To link the project with the National Curriculum and to provide a special interest training centre for local schools and colleges.
* To examine the use of alternative fuels, recycling issues and to help Warrington achieve the Government's target of 30% reduction in domestic energy use by 2006.
* To set up systems to monitor the performance of certain types of installation and equipment.

Scope of Services:
* To educate the community and raise energy awareness and make specific links with schools and colleges.
* To provide training on a one-to-one basis, or by group session, in order to educate the community and raising energy awareness.
* To train key workers in the Council and other Care Services on energy efficiency issues and fuel poverty matters.
* To promote the awareness of Fuel Poverty and it's affects on society to front line members of staff.
* To put in place a means of measuring Fuel Poverty within the Borough.
* To prioritise resources to the most vulnerable, on low incomes, in poorly insulated housing with expensive to run or inadequate heating systems.
* Improve heating provision and insulation levels both in the public and private rented sectors.
* Strive to increase the economic prosperity of individual, families and communities by encouraging the sustainable development of businesses.
* To provide links with other environmental policies such as Social Inclusion (Anti-Poverty) and Agenda 21.
* To promote energy efficiency grants and discount schemes and make them available to the community.
* To encourage energy efficiency related partnerships with external businesses.
* To maximise on all other sources of funding for energy saving schemes.

Access to our Services

Customer Charter
We provide a wide range of services to many customers and we aim to always be helpful, courteous and efficient whilst striving to continuously improve on the quality of training and advice together with value for money. We value our customers and are keen to consult and listen to what they have to say. Our Customer Charter defines both the service standard you should expect from us and how to make a complaint if you are not satisfied. [Leaflet available]

Client Group being Served
* The service is available to all residents within the Borough.
* Whilst most users of the service are potential or infrequent. In the main, they can be identified as individuals of all ages, couples and families within local communities. The Energy House 21 is situated within the Fairfield Renewal Area.
* Tenants of Social Housing, including our Council House tenants, are sign-posted to the advice service.
* Certain clients are from particularly vulnerable groups who are likely to be the subject of social exclusion, particularly those living on their own, lone parents, disabled people and families where adult members are either unemployed or working on a low income.
* Whilst the customers are usually owners, tenants and landlords, training is available to specialist groups such as school children and the elderly.
* Disabled Access - full wheel chair access is available to the exhibit rooms of the Energy House 21. Access to the rooms on the first floor is by through the floor lift.
* Ample Car Parking - at the rear of the premises.
* Large print leaflets - we will provide our leaflets in a large print format to suit
special requirements.
* Audio Tours - visitors can use our Audio Tour Facility to view the exhibits of EH21
with the option to vary the level of technical content to one that they are comfortable with.

Information needs of Client Group
* Use education to address energy efficiency issues and combat fuel poverty.
* To inform all residents of the Borough about energy efficiency.
* To explain ways in which energy can be saved.
* Information and advice on energy efficiency measures.
* Advise on the grants and opportunities that are available in order to achieve savings and so reduce personal expenditure whilst maintaining adequate levels of heating in the home.

How our Services are provided

Visitors to the Energy House have the opportunity of having:-
* An accompanied guided training tour of the exhibits.
* An unaccompanied tour.
* Unaccompanied training tour using an Audio Tour Wand.
* Customer Approved Information leaflets.
* Reference material on exhibits.
* SAP energy assessments on their home.
* Printed report on energy measures appropriate to their home.
* Face to face advice on current grants and financial initiatives.
* Telephone assistance.
* Sign-posting to other schemes and advice centres.
* Guided training tour for group visits [subject to prior booking].
* Access to this Energy House 21 website.

Types of Service provided

* Home Energy Conservation Training.
* Advice on grants and other schemes.
* Training on means of combating fuel poverty.
* Compact Florescent Light bulb promotions .
* Training on Energy efficiency measures.
* Renewable energy sources.
* Home security.