Working with Partner Organisations
Craig's Story
Craig was referred to ALIenergy by Argyll and Bute Citizens Advice Bureau. (ABCAB).
Craig is on a low income and lives with mobility issues. He relies on an older LPG boiler that is still working, but he hopes to replace it with a more efficient system, such as a heat pump. He was dealing with energy debt, which ABCAB was already helping him manage, but due to his mobility issues, he had not been able to independently read and submit meter readings to his supplier.
ALIenergy’s Affordable Warmth advisor visited Craig at home and was able to read the meter on his behalf. This revealed a complex metering setup, and it was not immediately clear which meter served heating and which covered standard usage.
Partnership working
Craig had previously shared his bills with ABCAB for the debt support. Our advisor used the copies to clarify the metering arrangement and identified one meter as redundant, as it had not changed for several months.
Given Craig’s existing heating system and the possibility of moving to an air source heat pump, a single-rate smart meter would likely be more suitable. A smart meter would also help keep Craig's bills accurate without the need for manual readings. Our advisor explained the benefits and provided wording for an email to the supplier to submit meter readings and request a smart meter.
Funds, schemes and actions taken
Craig was referred to Home Energy Scotland to explore possible Warmer Homes Scotland funding and signposted to other support, including the Warm Home Discount Scheme. He was also directed to the Scottish Emergency Heating Oil Scheme, which could provide £300 towards rising LPG costs.