Smart Energy GB have teamed up with Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) Scotland and Carers Scotland to launch two separate campaigns to help people living in vulnerable circumstances and those that care for them with their energy bills this winter.
To help those living with sight loss, the consumer engagement body supporting the smart meter roll out has developed an accessible in-home display (AIHD), approved by RNIB Scotland. This differs from the standard in-home display as it has additional accessibility features, such as tactile buttons and text-to-speech functionality, to help more households take control of their energy use and better manage finances.
Find out more at www.smartenergygb.org/about-smart-meters/the-accessible-in-home-display.

Meanwhile, according to Smart GB’s research, more than three in four (78%) unpaid carers have spent more time this year ensuring that their loved one’s home is energy efficient, on average spending over £400 doing so. This is because of higher energy bills and the cost of living increase.

The identified three things that carers can do to help the people they look after prepare for winter and take control of their loved one’s energy usage; including requesting a smart meter for the person they care for.  All three tips can be found on Smart Meter GB’s website at www.smartenergygb.org/smart-meter-benefits/benefits-for-you/how-carers-could-prepare-for-higher-energy-bills.

Carers Scotland have also produced a ‘Looking after someone’ guide which is a comprehensive source of information and support for carers.

Commenting, Martin Whitfield MSP said: 

“Soaring energy bills and how to save money on energy costs are priorities for most households, especially over the winter period. I welcome this practical help from Smart Meter GB for constituents in vulnerable circumstances and hope that it will help them and their loved ones to stay more in control of their energy bills this winter.”