Save Energy & Money: Birmingham gets expert advice

• Mar. 2 by Jade Rance (0)

The Family Housing Association have employed a team of “Green-Doctors” to advise residents across the West Midlands how to have a more energy efficient lifestyle.

The project is currently being aimed at anyone over 60, claiming benefits, with a disability or in ill health.

However at present the project is only open to those living in specific parts of Birmingham including Handsworth, Summerfield, Ladywood, Soho, Nechells, North Moseley, Sparkbrook, Balsall Heath, Alum Rock, Washwood Heath and Saltley.

However Samantha Jones says not to be put off by the specific criteria:

The project is open to a lot more people than you realise, it is just a case of phoning up and answering a few short questions to see whether you qualify

The “Green Doctors” have been out in force and are providing residents with energy saving lightbulbs, draught proofing around windows and doors, recycling paper and wood and showing people how to use their central heating efficiently.

With British Gas announcing record breaking profits last week there is definitely just cause for such efforts.

However, with the project only being open to such a select few, is it really going to make a difference?

The Family Housing Association said that “the project is due to run through until March 2011, and we are hoping to help 800 residents by this date’

We should be asking ourselves though, is it enough?  This target goal would mean that the “Green Doctors” are going to have visit three people everyday for the next year in order to achieve this.

With residents being asked to apply for these visits themselves and most of the campaign appearing online it seems as if it is going to be a tough year for the Housing Association.