A large number of residents in Gwynedd suffer from fuel poverty and do not know where to turn for advice. Prosiect Sero Net Gwynedd (Gwynedd Net Zero Project), which has been funded by the UK Government, enables our Energy Officers to help individuals and families across Gwynedd either in community hubs, through a home visit or over the phone.
The DEG Energy Officers:
- raise awareness of the benefits of saving energy
- give practical help on reducing costs and energy consumption in the home
- give advice to improve the energy efficiency of their homes
- advise what grants are available
- provide energy saving equipment (for example LED bulbs)
- giving everyone who is eligible the opportunity to join the service and priority list with their water, electricity and gas suppliers.
Since last year, Wales & West Utilities has funded a two-year project that enables DEG and Adra to build on the success of Prosiect Sero Net Gwynedd. The project is about supporting individuals in community centers or in their own homes to reduce energy consumption and therefore improve their financial wellbeing, decarbonise their homes and get practical advice on the dangers of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
How much do you know about Carbon Monoxide (CO)?
Carbon monoxide is a gas that is released when any burnable fossil fuel including coal, oil, wood and gas, does not burn properly.
You can’t see it, smell it or taste it and around 40 people die from carbon monoxide poisoning in the UK every year, and thousands are injured.
Exposure to CO leads to many symptoms that can be mistaken for other illnesses such as cold or flu, as well as feeling sick, chest or stomach pain, headache or feeling tired.
Ensure that any fossil fuel powered appliance is serviced annually by a registered gas safety engineer. Smoke alarms do not detect CO so ensure you have a CO alarm within 3m of all fossil fuel burning appliances and that it is tested regularly.
Read more about Carbon Monoxide here.
Free advice and support
Over the past year, we have been fortunate to work with and support different centers in the community. We created warm winter packs containing locally sourced items where possible and distributed them to some individuals in Porthi Dre and Arfon Food Bank. We have also visited the Warws Werdd on several occasions to distribute information packs and LED bulbs to their customers.
Energy officers will be in Caernarfon Library between 9:30am and 12:30pm on the following days:
- April 16
- May 14
- June 11
Come along for a chat and a cuppa, and take an energy saving information pack and LED bulb home with you.
Alternatively, if you have any questions, suggestions or would like to arrange an appointment with an Energy Officer either by phone or at your home, contact us on ynni@deg.cymru or 07495237679.