New app to help residents make energy cost savings

A NEW app has been launched to help Three Rivers residents make energy cost savings with simple tips and advice.

The Hertfordshire Energy Advice Tool (HEAT) app is free to download and gives users a virtual tour around a typical home, asking questions about different habits and appliances and giving advice to reduce energy use along the way.

Three Rivers District Council has become one of the first local authorities in the country to partner with Energy Saving Trust to provide such an app.

Based on the answers residents provide the app will offer quick and easy low or no-cost actions to help save money on energy bills and reduce a household’s carbon footprint.

Once the virtual tour around a home has finished, a tailored report can be provided via email to give a summary of the potential carbon and financial savings. The average saving from using the HEAT app is currently estimated to be £70 a year.

Recent studies show that 28% of the Three Rivers greenhouse gas emissions come from its homes. By taking small steps to be more efficient at home residents can help tackle the climate emergency.

Cllr Phil Williams, Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Sustainability, said: “This new, innovative app will go a long way to helping residents save money while helping us reach our district-wide target of net-zero carbon by 2045. Making seemingly small every-day changes at home can have a significant impact on our energy use, and if all of us do it together, it could have a significant impact on our district’s emissions”

The app was developed by Energy Saving Trust , the UK’s leading trusted expert organisation regarding home energy and is being rolled out by the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) - making it available to all Hertfordshire residents.

To go a step further residents can invest in their home efficiency through the Three Rivers Green Homes Grant  of up to £10,000. Find more information at the Energy Savings Trust website .

The HEAT app is free to download - it is available on Google Play and Apple's App Store.

Council spokesperson

Cllr Phil Williams - Lead Member for Environmental Services, Climate Change and Sustainability

Group spokespeople

Cllr Alex Hayward – Leader of the Conservative Group

Cllr Stephen Cox – Leader of the Labour Group

Cllr Alex Michaels – Independent Councillors Group Joint Leader