Home energy tips for people with sight loss
Forth Valley residents with sight or hearing loss can learn how to reduce their home energy use at a series of drop-in events.
The events, which will help people cut both their carbon emissions and bills, are part of the Making Sense of Energy Saving project.
The project is run by Forth Valley Sensory Centre and funded by the Scottish Government’s Climate Challenge Fund.
The centre provides free and impartial advice through the project to help people with sight or hearing loss take control of their energy use and reduce their carbon footprint.
In several cases, project manager Kirsty Banks has also been able to unlock funding to help people heat their homes more efficiently.
As well as the sessions at FV Sensory Centre, Kirsty has also visited community groups and charities across the Forth Valley in the past few months. Now, the series of roadshow events in January will help reach as many people as possible.
“The project has been a great success so far,” said Kirsty,“and the people I speak to are often amazed at how much money they could save simply by making a few small changes.
“As well as saving money, using less energy has a positive effect on the environment. It really is a win-win situation.”
To date, two people, both with sight problems have received new heating systems thanks to referrals to Home Energy Scotland. As well as offering impartial advice, Home Energy Scotland also offers loans to help tackle energy problems and in some cases, access to grants through the Warmer Homes Scotland initiative.
Kirsty added:“All the people we have helped have significantly lowered their fuel bills. For people with sight loss in particular, it can be difficult to set thermostats or timings on a heating system, particularly more antiquated systems. I have been delighted to be able to help people make a difference.”
Kirsty will be at the following venues this month: Wednesday, January 22, 10am-4pm outside B&Q at Springkerse Industrial Estate, Stirling; Thursday, January 23, noon at the Mayfield Centre, St Ninians; and Saturday, January 25, 10am-2pm, Sterling Mills Outlet,Tillicoultry.
Advice is available in several formats, including braille and large print. More info at www. forthvalleysensorycentre.org/ services/energy-saving/