The Council recognises the importance of energy conservation and the Affordable Warmth Strategy sets out a number of actions to raise awareness about the benefits of energy conservation and encourages the provision of energy efficiency measures in residential accommodation in partnership with other agencies. You can download the Affordable Warmth Strategy in adobe acrobat pdf format here. You will need the free adobe acrobat reader software to open it.

The Council is working in partnership with the Essex Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEEAC) which is a "not for profit" organisation funded by the Department of the Environment, Food and Rurual Affairs via the Energy Saving Trust (EST). The EEEAC provides free impartial energy efficiency advice to householders including information about Government grants, discount schemes from energy suppliers and other promotions to save energy and can be contacted on freephone number 0800 096 6356 or you can visit the affordable energy web site.

If a caller is eligible for assistance under the Warm Front Scheme, for example the householder is aged 60 or over and in receipt of income support, the EEEAC will refer details to Warm Front.

Warm Front makes homes warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient. The Warm Front Grant provides a package of insulation and heating improvements up to the value of £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is recommended). It is a Government-funded initiative and the scheme is managed by eaga. If you own your own home or rent it from a private landlord, you may be eligible for a grant under the Warm Front Scheme.

If you want to contact Warm Front direct you can phone 0800 316 2814 or visit the Warm Front website.

The EEEAC in conjunction with the EST, have also developed an Essex wide scheme to promote energy conservation measures and have negotiated discounted prices for loft and cavity wall insulation with approved contractors which is available to all householders. They also have information on grants available for heating and sustainable power such as solar panels. For further information you can either phone 0800 096 6536 or visit their website at www.essexeeac.com.