GLOSSARY OF TERMS RELATING TO THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY INDUSTRY
A - C
Age Concern Energy Services - a joint initiative between e.on and Age Concern which markets through Age Concern's network of local groups. It offers a number of benefits for customers, including a special tariff package, an energy efficiency survey and advice, a non-disconnection policy, and free heating if the temperature falls below 0°C.
Beacon Councils - the Beacon Council Scheme was established by the Government to identify those local authorities that were centres of excellence in specific areas of local government responsibility and could act as exemplars to other councils. Fuel poverty was selected as a Beacon Council theme in 2002-2003. The five local authorities awarded Beacon Status for their fuel poverty work collaborated with NEA in the production of a tool-kit to enable other local authorities to replicate best practice in their own fuel poverty policies.
CHP - Combined Heat and Power, utilising the waste heat from electricity generation can provide more efficient and much cheaper electricity and heating for households served by community heating. Domestic CHP units for individual properties or small groups of properties are likely to be available soon.
Cold Weather Payments - weekly payments made during a period of exceptionally severe weather to vulnerable households in recipt of Income Support, Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit.
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D - F
Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) - (formerly Energy Efficiency Standards of Performance). Domestic energy suppliers are given energy saving targets related to the size of their customer base. Energy Efficiency Commitment funding provides for energy efficiency improvements for householders. Half of all energy savings are to be achieved in properties occupied by members of a priority group - households in receipt of means-tested or disability-related benefits.
Energy Efficiency Partnership (EEP) - EEP was launched in April 2000 and is facilitated by the Energy Saving Trust. The Partnership provides a mechanism to bring together all those with an interest in domestic energy efficiency and in combating fuel poverty to achieve their objectives more effectively.
energywatch - agency established by Government to protect and promote the interests of gas and electricity consumers in Great Britain.
Energy Efficiency Advice Centres (EEAC's) - agencies providing advice on the efficient use of energy to householders and small businesses. The network is overseen by the Energy Saving Trust (EST) and has national coverage.
Energy Saving Trust (EST) - a non-profit making company set up by Government and the major energy companies. Its purpose is to work through partnerships towards the sustainable and efficient use of energy in the domestic and small business sectors.
Fuel Direct - a scheme operated by the Department for Work and Pensions and which deducts money from weekly or fortnightly benefit to pay off a fuel debt and/or to cover ongoing fuel consumption. Access to the scheme is restricted to households with an existing fuel debt who receive Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance or Pension Credit.
Fuel Poverty - Where a combination of poor housing conditions and low income mean that the household cannot afford sufficient warmth for health and comfort. The widely accepted definition of fuel poverty is where a household needs to spend 10% or more of income to meet fuel costs.
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G - I
Health Action Zones (HAZ) - HAZ's are partnerships between the NHS, local authorities, the voluntary and private sectors, and local communities. As well as tackling major health problems, they link work on health, regeneration, employment, education, housing and anti-poverty initiatives in innovative ways.
Health through Warmth - funded by Innogy and operated by npower, Health through Warmth will train health professionals to offer energy advice, provide assistance to help the most vulnerable people and provide funding for community projects. The scheme, which has operated in the West Midlands since July 2000 is currently being rolled out throughout England and Wales.
Here to HELP - British Gas, in partnership with seven major national charities, is aiming to improve the quality of life for families, older people and disabled people in some of Britain's most deprived communities. The Here to HELP programme is a three-year, £150 million programme that addresses poverty by providing simple, practical ways to help make 500,000 homes warm, safe and comfortable.
Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA) - HECA requires all UK local authorities with housing responsibilities to prepare an energy conservation report identifying measures to significantly improve the energy efficiency of all residential accommodation in their area and to report on progress in implementing the measures.
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) - New HEES, launched in June 2000 is designed to tackle fuel poverty among the most vulnerable by providing grants for comprehensive packages of insulation and heating improvements, including central heating systems.
Home Improvement Agencies (HIA's) - HIA's provide independent advice and help to assist vulnerable people and those on low incomes to carry out repairs, improvements and adaptations to their home. There are over 200 HIA's operating in England, the majority of which receive Government grant support.
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J - L
Keep Warm Keep Well - This campaign is a joint venture between the Department of Health, NEA, Age Concern, the Benefits Agency, Defra, Help the Aged, Department of Social Security and the Women's Royal Voluntary Service. It comprises the Winter Warmth Advice Line (Tel: 0800 085 7000) and an information and advice booklet. A resource pack for health professionals is also produced by the Campaign.
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M - O
National Right to Fuel Campaign - The Campaign was founded in 1975. The Campaign's initial priority was an end to disconnections and today the main focus is still on the protection of disadvantaged energy consumers in the competitive energy market. The Campaign's steering group includes representatives from a wide range of voluntary and not for profit organisations.
NVQ's - National Vocational Qualifications are based on standards developed by industry with the aim of raising the standards of people's competence and giving them recognition for their skills. NVQ's in energy efficiency are jointly awarded by NEA and City and Guilds.
Ofgem - The Office of Gas and Electricity Markets is the regulatory body for the electricity and gas industries and protects the interests of consumers, ensuring they get value and choice, by promoting competition and regulating monopolies.
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P - R
Private Sector Renewal Grants - Discretionary grants given by local authorities to help private home- owners to repair and improve their homes. Assistance can be given for a range of purposes, including work to make the property more energy efficient.
The Royal Bank Key Account - A joint initiative between the Royal Bank of Scotland and ScottishPower which aims to bring direct debit savings to low- income households. The Key Account enables ScottishPower customers, who have not previously held a bank account and who pay bills with cash or prepayment meter, to benefit from direct debit savings, and other banking facilities.
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S - U
The Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) RATING - SAP is the Government's standard for home energy rating. SAP ratings provide a simple indicator of the efficiency of energy use for space and water heating in new and existing dwellings. SAP ratings are expressed on a scale of 1 (poor) to 100 (excellent).
Social Action Plan - The Social Action Plan developed by Ofgem is a framework for action across a wide range of activities to ensure that the economic benefits of liberalisation are spread fairly among vulnerable and disadvantaged consumers.
Transco's Affordable Warmth Scheme - The Affordable Warmth scheme supports the installation of gas fires, heating systems, including community heating and insulation in up to one million homes by 2007, through the use of operational leases.
TXU Staywarm - Staywarm is an energy service that aims to help reduce fuel poverty. Customers are offered as much gas and electricity as they need at a fixed annual cost with no reconciliation. The service is available to those over 60 and the freephone number is 0800 1694 694.
Utilities Act 2000 - The Act updates and brings together the formerly separate regulation of the gas and electricity industries, reflecting the increasing convergence of these industries. The Act received Royal Assent on 28 July 2000.
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V - Z
Warm Deal - The Warm Deal was introduced in Scotland on 1 July 1999. It provides households on benefit with a package of insulation measures up to the value of £500.
Warm Front Team - Warm Front Team is the new branding for new HEES. The concept recognises the team approach needed to tackle fuel poverty at local level and the need for partnerships between Government, local authorities, health workers, caring organisations and the energy utility companies to ensure effective delivery of all schemes available to help the fuel poor.
Warm Homes Initiative - The Scheme provides grants for low-income households in Northern Ireland. It came into operation on 1st April 2001, installations will commence in July 2001. The Warm Homes Initiative replaces the Domestic Energy Efficiency Scheme (DEES).
Warm Zones - This started in 2000 as a pilot programme that draws together local partnerships involving energy utilities, local authorities and voluntary groups in a co-ordinated effort to tackle fuel poverty in defined areas in a systematic way. Five pilot Warm Zones were set up: Northumberland; Stockton; Hull; Sandwell and Newham. For more details on the picture today - click here
Yorkshire Electricity's HEATPlan - This scheme is currently being piloted in Yorkshire and involves a benefits check, improving the energy efficiency of customers' properties, and fixed levels of payment for energy.
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Sources:
Information in this glossary is drawn from a range of sources, these are available on request.
Information on energy industry initiatives is taken from the Government's UK Fuel Poverty Strategy: consultation draft document. Reviewed: 23/07/2008 |
