0800 Helpline for Home Energy Advice Centre

31 March 2008

A new 0800 phone line providing free, impartial, expert advice is now available for people in the Wellington region wanting to discuss their home energy needs.

The Wellington region has been chosen to pilot the helpline which is supported by EECA and jointly funded by the Ministry for the Environment and Wellington City Council.

The Newtown-based Sustainability Trust has been chosen to set up the pilot service, which will be operational from Monday 31 March, weekdays 10am- 4pm.

The new helpline will be focused on helping people in existing households save money on energy bills and get more value for their energy dollars.

Sustainability Trust energy advisor Sarah Free explains, “It is hoped that by making use of this helpline, people can identify ways to improve their living standards while saving money on energy costs. People may be considering putting in insulation, new heating, or looking to upgrade appliances with more modern, energy efficient alternatives. We are here to discuss each household’s individual requirements and to help work out the best solutions.

The new phone number is 0800 388 588. The service is free to residents of Wellington City, the Hutt Valley and the Kapiti Coast up to Waikanae.

Those interested can also visit the website www.energyadvice.org.nz, or email an energy advisor at energyadvice@sustaintrust.org.nz