Home Energy Champions
Can you help us make a positive difference to local people facing the challenge of heating their homes this Winter? We are looking for great people to fill paid and volunteer roles.
About us
Energy Action Redhill and Reigate (EARR) is a not-for-profit community energy company run by a small team of volunteer Directors and a Project Coordinator. We were formed out of Climate Action Redhill and Reigate (CARR).
In 2023 we started providing energy saving suggestions for local residents in Redhill and Reigate. We provided over 100 surveys of homes, supported by an infrared camera and delivered energy advice during the cost of living crisis. In the future we will also look for opportunities to develop community-led renewable energy projects.
The Leaky Homes Roadshow 2024
We are planning to relaunch the Roadshow in 2024, offering to visit the homes of local residents and make tailor-made suggestions about ways they could improve their energy efficiency and potentially save on bills. We will visit 4-5 residents in a small area (e.g., 1-2 roads close together) on agreed evenings.
Our surveys are conducted by an Energy Champion and volunteer who together carry out a short home energy survey using an infrared camera and standard questionnaire during a home visit of about 30mins. Thermal photos are taken from the outside walls to show to residents where the major heat losses are; these need to be taken in the evening when it is cooler outside (and sunlit walls have cooled). The Energy Champion discusses any findings during the visit and submits a report, including photos with suggestions for follow up actions. Thanks to external funding, in 2024 we will also be able to offer a range of insulation materials free of charge to eligible households.
Energy Action Redhill and Reigate are building up our local network of Home Energy Champions who will carry out the home energy surveys. With both volunteer and paid Energy Champion roles possible, we are on a mission to find those as passionate as we are about making sure that everyone needing it, receives this help
Does this sound like you? Read on to find out more about the role and how you can help.
The Opportunity
Job title - Home Energy Champions
Job location - Redhill, Reigate and surrounding area
Hours - Mostly 1-2 evenings per week depending on demand for home surveys, January to April 2024
Contract - Self-employed (£25 per survey) or on a voluntary basis
Report to - EARR Project Coordinator
Training - Energy Champion training provided January 2024
The Role
As a Home Energy Champion you will be required to provide tailored suggestions and support, helping residents reduce their energy use, cut fuel bill costs and make their homes easier to keep warm.
This will primarily be based on the Home surveys, using our bespoke survey and infrared camera to identify issues and make suggestions. The Home Energy Champion will undertake the following:
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Complete the EARR home energy questionnaire with the Householder
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Identify areas of potential improved efficiency or energy saving measures
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Supervising/taking pictures using the LED camera
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Interpreting the results to support improved efficiency or energy saving measures
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Completing a templated report, with suggestions and observations for the homeowner
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Reviewing with the Project Coordinator for any modifications
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Sending to the householder and answering any follow up questions.
What are we looking for?
As Home Energy Champion your main role will be to offer suggestions and potential solutions to a wide range of people primarily in their homes. You will have strong communication skills, be a great listener, and empathic with a caring approach. It is important you understand specific challenges faced by households, have a practical approach to solving problems and are comfortable building a rapport with residents. You will be happy to work flexibly and to use your own initiative and judgement to support residents. This could include helping them install simple energy efficiency measures, such as LED bulbs, draught excluders, and radiator reflectors, for example. There could also be opportunities to signpost them to additional support services.
Subject to your availability we would also like you to join us at events, such as drop in energy advice cafes and/or delivering talks to community groups.
Training
We are looking for Energy Champions who are passionate both about energy and about helping people, rather than formally qualified people. Ideally you will have some practical knowledge of basic energy saving and efficiency approaches. This will be supplemented by our free training which we would like all our Energy Champions to attend - details to be confirmed.
Having your own vehicle, or access to one, is helpful for carrying out home visits and you may be carrying light energy efficiency materials (e.g. draughtproofing) with you. However, do talk to us if you don’t have access to transport and we can arrange for you to work locally or with a volunteer who does.
As you may be dealing with vulnerable people in their own homes, you will also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate in order to carry out the role. This will be arranged by EARR.
How to join us
If you are interested in the role or want to discuss the Energy Champion role in more detail, then please contact us by email on info@earr.co.uk or by calling Graham Burr Secretary of EARR on 07986 353 493. To help us know something about you, it would also be helpful if you completed our application form (below) sending that to the above email, with the heading Energy Champion Role.