Fuel Poverty Awareness Day
With energy bills climbing and one in three children growing up in poverty, The CHEESE Project is urging greater support for struggling households on Fuel Poverty Awareness Day this November 27th. This Bristol-based community interest company is using thermal imaging to help families in low-income homes stay warmer and cut costs. The CHEESE Project uncovers the heat leaks and cold spots in homes using a custom thermal imaging system, empowering people to make often immediate and thrifty changes that can reduce their bills.
The cost of fuel poverty
As the chill sets in, more households face tough decisions about whether to heat their homes or put food on the table. Fuel Poverty Awareness Day, an initiative from National Energy Action (NEA), is perfectly timed to shine a light on the devastating effects of cold homes, which are not only uncomfortable and costly, but cause an estimated £2.5 billion cost to the NHS in poor health outcomes.
Fuel Poverty Awareness Day should be particularly relevant to the South West, as BOXT reports that the region has the worst fuel poverty gap in the country. To escape fuel poverty, households here would need an average £521 reduction in energy bills, a huge 54% higher than the national average of £338. That gap has surged by nearly 50% since 2021.
Protecting against heat leaks
CHEESE is able to carry out free thermal surveys for those in fuel poverty, and for other home owners offer up to 70% off thanks to a current Retrofit West voucher scheme. Surveys use custom hardware and software, and a special blower door, to help locate hidden heat leaks. This points the way towards the easy wins and low-cost changes to improve thermal efficiency, and can also set people in the right direction for larger retrofit support. Low income households especially can benefit from government schemes such as ECO4, insulation grants and more.
NEA’s Fuel Poverty Awareness Day is aimed at keeping fuel poverty in the national consciousness, and driving systemic change. With six million households in the UK currently in fuel poverty and energy debts exceeding £3.7 billion, this growing crisis impacts physical and mental health, forcing families to choose between mounting debt or enduring cold, unsafe homes. The day calls on policymakers, communities, and individuals to advocate for greater support and solutions, ensuring no one is left behind in the energy crisis. NEA is encouraging people to share tips, contact their local and national representatives, and share content about Fuel Poverty Awareness Day across their network.
#FuelPovertyAwarenessDay
About National Energy Action:
National Energy Action (NEA) is the leading fuel poverty charity working across England, Wales, and Northern Ireland to ensure everyone can afford a warm, safe, and healthy home. With energy bills soaring and millions facing cold, damp housing, NEA provides direct advice, advocates for policy change, and promotes energy efficiency improvements.
For over 40 years, NEA has partnered with policymakers, communities, and industry to tackle the root causes of fuel poverty. Through advice, campaigning, research, and training, NEA helps transform lives and works towards its vision: to end fuel poverty and improve well-being for all.