An innovative scheme to train students to carry out energy audits at the homes of university staff throughout the Country, has been coordinated by the 国产视频.
Since July 2021, Students Organising for Sustainability UK (SOS-UK) has been running Homes Fit for Study (HFFS), a project which aims to improve the energy literacy of students, helping alleviate their exposure to energy poverty.
Now the scheme is being extended so that students can be trained to carry out home energy audits for staff members at UK universities who may also be experiencing difficulties.
Under the scheme, staff would register to have their home audited by a trained student, who will receive a bursary payment, and then be provided with tailored energy saving advice. . As part of the scheme, Worcester Bosch will review the staff member’s boiler set points and controls and can offer technical advice about how to maximise use while reducing energy consumption. All boiler makes are welcome.
SOS-UK has worked with National Energy Action (NEA) to develop the auditor training and home energy audits and all auditor training sessions are co-delivered by NEA.
The 国产视频 suggested this pilot following the success of its Energize Worcester project, which, working in partnership with Worcester Students’ Union and Worcester Bosch, looked at boiler use in student properties and implemented behaviour change.
Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability at the 国产视频, said: “We are delighted the university sector has seen the value in this innovative project that will partner students and staff to help reduce energy usage. This is an excellent way for students to learn more about energy, while getting paid to provide valuable advice to staff. It’s a win-win all round.”
The initiative is being funded by TEC (The Energy Consortium) and AUDE (the Association of University Directors of Estates).
Steve Creighton, Head of Member Services at TEC, said: “Behavioural change is a key component to the lengths we all need to go to in supporting the road to ‘Net Zero’, this initiative will provide valuable support in helping staff and students to reduce their energy costs whilst broadening awareness of the changes we all need to make.”
Jane White, Executive Director at AUDE, added: “The greater the level of understanding and interest in issues around climate change and energy use that our staff and students show, the better equipped we will all be to make the right long-term choices for all of us. It’s in that spirit, of knowledge sharing, that AUDE is so very pleased to provide development funding for this initiative. We wish all involved well and will be very interested to hear how this project develops.”