Dacorum Borough Council has launched a mobile app to help residents make energy savings in their homes.
It has made the Hertfordshire Energy Advice Tool (HEAT) available in a partnership with the Energy Saving Trust, with its leader saying it is the first local authority in the country to do so.
The app provides a virtual tour around a typical home, asking questions along the way. Based on the answers provided it suggest actions for saving money and reducing carbon emissions.
Once the virtual tour has finished, a tailored advice report can be emailed to the user, providing a summary of the potential energy and money savings. The average saving from using the HEAT app is estimated to be £70 a year.
Dacorum said that 30% of its greenhouse gas emissions come from homes in the borough.
Brilliant initiative
Councillor Andrew Williams, leader of the council, said: “I'm proud that we are the first council to partner with the Energy Saving Trust on this brilliant new initiative.
“With the effects of climate change starting to take effect, coupled with this winter’s energy crisis, this app is an ideal way for us to support our residents not only to reduce their energy use and take steps to reduce their carbon footprint but to save money as well.”
The app was developed by Energy Saving Trust and is being rolled out by the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP) - making it available to all Hertfordshire residents.
It is freely available on Google Play and Apple's App Store.
Image from Dacorum Borough Council
