Help available to reduce energy bills and warm up homes

Help and advice is available for residents worried about rising energy bills this winter, as the cost of living crisis continues.  

The Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP) is a free service that helps eligible people keep warm in their homes and reduce their energy bills.  

LEAP works in partnership with the council and offers home visits from a local energy advisor and a telephone advice service. 

The service is open to Brighton & Hove residents who receive one or more of a range of benefits or have a total annual household income of less than £31,000. 

You can check if you are eligible and see the eligibility criteria on the LEAP website. 

LEAP advisors can: 

• Give practical advice on heating systems and saving energy
• Provide tariff and smart meter advice
• Fit free energy saving kit in your home, such as LED lightbulbs, radiator reflector panels and draught-proofing
• Check if you are eligible for insulation or a new boiler
• Arrange a free, confidential money advice telephone call to help with benefits, debt and other money problems

LEAP may also be able to help with boiler repairs or replacements for owner occupiers without heating. 

Councillor Gill Williams, chair of the Housing & New Homes Committee, said: “We know many local households are struggling with energy bills and the impact of the ongoing cost of living crisis. 

“The Local Energy Advice Partnership has already helped lots of people in the city reduce their energy bills without costing them any money, and we would encourage anyone who is eligible to apply for a call or visit from one of their expert home energy advisors.”  

Please complete the referral form on the LEAP website to apply for a home visit or telephone advice or call free on 0800 060 7567.