L&Q helping Greenwich residents save £3.5 million on fuel bills

L&Q is spearheading a brand new sustainability project that will help 1,200 households in Greenwich slash their energy bills by nearly £3.5 million over the next decade.

The "L&Q Greener Greenwich" project was launched by L&Q, along with environmental charity Global Action Plan and British Gas, as annual household energy bills reached an all time high of £1,200 this year, an increase of £465 since 2006.

The £100,000 project is providing residents with:

• Free home insulation

• Free energy efficiency gadgets, such as energy monitors, stand-by savers and radiator panels

• Free face-to-face information and practical advice, including three home visits

• Free ongoing support and help, including newsletters for sharing experiences and top tips

• Free help to spread the word to neighbours and friends

• An end of year evaluation of the overall financial success of their energy saving efforts.

These measures will save the 1,200 households a combined £348,000 each year for the next ten years. Global Action Plan is offering the residents advice and support on energy efficiency and British Gas have supplied the equipment to households.

Robin Feeley, Head of Sustainable Development at L&Q, said: "We are committed to helping residents reduce their energy bills and L&Q Greener Greenwich is a project doing just that.

"The idea is to help residents associate the energy they use with the amount they pay, and in particular identify areas within the home that are energy inefficient and expensive to run.

"We hope to roll this out to benefit L&Q residents in other boroughs in the future."

L&Q Group Director David Gannicott recently met with some of the residents who are benefitting from the campaign.

David said: "This type of project has to be the way forward to conserve resources and to ensure that our residents maximise their disposable income during challenging economic times for us all. Residents are really behind the initiative – it saves them money and helps them take personal responsibility for their energy use. Everyone wins."

Resident Anita Osei said: "I started thinking about energy when we received some big bills, but I really didn't know how to save it. But since you gave me the energy monitor and explained what it was I've been checking every time I turn something on and going "Wow! Is that what it costs?"

For more information contact Louise Brennan on ext 7225 or email greenergreenwich@lqgroup.org.uk