Devon energy advice scheme helps households cut bills and tackle fuel poverty

Households across Devon are being supported to reduce their energy bills and improve their financial outlook this winter through the RESET Energy Advice programme.
Run by Citizens Advice, the scheme operates across Plymouth, Torbay, Exeter, the South Hams, Teignbridge and East Devon, offering targeted support to people living in or at risk of fuel poverty and helping them work towards a more sustainable financial future.
RESET Project Leader Aaron Hughes said the service is increasingly vital as the cost of living continues to rise.
He said: “We know many people in our local communities are already facing hardship with the continued rising costs of food, water, rent and fuel. As we head into winter, more people we see are facing the impossible choice of heating or eating.
“Our expert team works intensively with the most vulnerable households to see if they’re paying too much for their gas and electricity, help them understand their bills, find ways of saving energy around the home and ensuring they’re getting all the support they need, such as available benefits.”
Energy RESET is a two-year scheme worth £450,000, designed to address fuel poverty across southern Devon, Plymouth and Torbay.
The latest government statistics show that more than 45,000 households in the RESET area are currently living in fuel poverty. This includes 11.6% of households in Exeter, 11.4% in the South Hams and in Torbay, 11.3% in Plymouth, 10.3% in East Devon and 10.1% in Teignbridge.
Janie Moor, chief executive of Citizens Advice South Hams, said access to clear and independent energy advice can be difficult for many communities. She said:
“In our more marginalised rural and urban communities access to good, independent energy advice which could make all the difference to their weekly budget is difficult to find.
“Vulnerable people often feel overwhelmed by the complexities of their energy usage and bills, leading to stress from financial pressures and the challenge of keeping their homes warm. They need headspace to address these issues which are often compounded by complex billing communications from energy providers and mounting energy debt.
“We want to press the reset button on energy advice and make sure households are in a more stable position in future.”
Anyone needing support from the RESET Energy Advice team can contact the service on 0800 995 6890 or visit resetenergyadvice.org.uk. The service is available to residents of Plymouth, Exeter, Torbay, the South Hams, Teignbridge and East Devon who meet at least one eligibility criterion, including living in fuel poverty, having a health-related vulnerability or disability, being digitally excluded, being of pensionable age or on a low income, or being a single parent with dependent children.