The Green Deal Winchester free help centre was opened by Steve Brine MP this week in Winchester. Visitors to the centre in the old Hawkin's Bazaar shop in the Brooks Centre can see examples of how to save energy, save money and stay warm in their homes and can also register for a free Green Deal assessment which normally costs at least £100.
Insulation for lofts, walls and floors, solar panels and the latest LED energy-saving light bulbs are on display, along with lots of leaflets and information.
Green Deal Winchester is a Winchester City Council project in partnership with WinACC (Winchester Action on Climate Change), with funding from central Government's Department of Energy and Climate Change.
"Save energy, save money and stay warm", said Roger Huxstep, Winchester City Council portfolio-holder for environment. "Stopping draughts makes your home cosier as well as saving energy. Improvements to your home stop the warmth getting out. And lower electricity and heating bills save money and help combat climate change".
The City Council and WinACC are offering the first 130 people a free Green Deal assessment worth at least £100. The assessment lists everything that would make your home as energy-saving and cosy as possible. It also tells you what each improvement would cost, and if you would be eligible for a loan from the new Government's Green Deal scheme. Green Deal Winchester can give the first 130 assessments before 31 March 2013 totally free.
"Asking for an assessment doesn't commit you to anything. You can stop whenever you want. You can decide to do everything on the list, some of it or nothing at all. You can decide to pay for it from a Green Deal loan, savings, extra on the mortgage – whatever you choose", explained Chris Holloway, Director of WinACC.
A Green Deal loan means you get the work done without paying anything up front. Then the loan is repaid through your energy bill, because it will cost less to heat your home after the works have been done.
The shop is open 7 days a week. People from Winchester who can't get to the shop can also register their interest by ringing 01962 827083 and asking for Green Deal Winchester.
Pictured; Steve Brine joins Cllr Roger Huxstep and shop supporters at the opening
