Community Award goes to Energy Efficiency Community Network

Phil Squire accepts the Community Award

The Energy Efficiency Community Network won the Community Award for its home energy advice centre which received the thumbs-up from customers.
In 2008 and 2009 the Energy Efficiency Community Network ran a pilot home energy advice centre in Auckland, the lower North Island and Canterbury.

The centre provided advice to the public via 0800 phone line, email, home visits, web forums and community events. Advice ranged from information on free and low cost energy saving measures, through to serious investment decisions such as installing double glazing or central heating.

A comprehensive training manual was developed to ensure the provision of high quality, impartial advice. Advisers from Eco Matters in Waitakere, Sustainability Trust in Wellington and Community Energy Action in Christchurch were trained to ensure consistency and quality.

Between March 2008 and December 2009 the centres performed 3,118 unique consultations. Independent evaluation showed that on average clients took 4.81 actions following a consultation with 67% saying these actions were directly attributable to the advice they received. The quality of service was rated ‘good' or ‘very good' by 84%.

The awards judges praised the scheme's approach of providing tailored, one-on-one advice. "This seems to show that tailored information applicable to a particular household creates a good catalyst for action."

Download the Winners Booklet to find out more about the winners and finalists.