You can now get personalised advice from the Environment Department on how to improve your home’s energy efficiency, whether it’s a listed landmark or a functional flat. And if you’re quick it won’t cost the earth…
A lot of us would like to reduce our personal contribution to climate change but don’t know where to start: is it better to invest in a new water heater or to spend that money on smaller projects?
Whether the aim is to cut their fuel bill or their carbon footprint, many Islanders want to make their home more environmentally friendly but aren’t sure how to go about it. One of the barriers identified locally to making such eco-improvements has been the lack of independent advice available to individual properties.
In February 2019 the States of Jersey is launching the Home Energy Audit Programme to provide this much-needed advice. A Home Energy Audit identifies how energy-efficient your home is, and gives practical information on the steps that could be taken to improve its efficiency.
The audit starts with the visit of a local, accredited assessor who carries out a survey which takes between 45 and 90 minutes, and involves taking measurements, photos and notes in every room to determine how the property was built and how energy is used.
After the visit, the assessor analyses the data using an analytics tool, specifically designed for Jersey homes, to generate a personal report. The assessor then explains the report’s findings and runs through energy-saving recommendations with you. They could find, for example, that insulating your loft will cost approximately £400 but that it could save you £200 on your heating costs per year.
