Bryson Energy - Leading the way towards Warmer Healthier Happier Homes
Northern Ireland has the highest rates of fuel poverty across the UK with more than one-third of all households being in fuel poverty. Bryson Energy is working in partnership with the University of Ulster to deliver a range of fuel poverty initiatives to
A household is considered to be in fuel poverty when it needs to spend more than 10% of its income to adequately heat the home. Households have different requirements in terms of heat and energy but it is widely acknowdged that the interaction of three factors namely Low Income, Energy Efficiency and Energy Costs account for the prevalence of fuel poverty.
Fuel poverty has many side effects on the families and individuals affected. These effects range from health issues relating to cold damp and mouldy homes to financial hardship, feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Bryson Energy as the leading energy efficiency and fuel poverty in Northern Ireland aims to provide leadership, advice, support and installion of energy measures in homes.
In order to deliver this existing portfolio of projects Bryson Energy in partnership with University of Ulster and Christine Liddell Professor of Psychology has employed a vibrant team with a wide expertise in the delivery of fuel poverty and energy efficiency initiatives within NI. Working together offers the combined effective delivery of energy efficiency on the ground with the scholarship that can help support it.
The Affordable Warmth Portfolio – funded by OAK Foundation
The funding awarded by Oak Foundation, a Geneva based philanthropic organisation is designed to tackle all three key areas that contribute to fuel poverty; low income, inadequate heating and insulation and the high cost of energy.
Effectively, this partnership will aim to:
ü Inform and evaluate policy on fuel poverty in Northern Ireland
ü Enable more effective intervention and support for householders in fuel poverty across Northern Ireland
The Affordable Warmth Portfolio will run for 3 years and focus on 5 key projects:
- New Health Routes to Support Young Families at Risk of Fuel Poverty
- Transforming Northern Ireland’s Heating Systems: A Plan to Retrofit Dwellings
- Energy Brokering
- Warm Homes Heating and Insulation Programme for private renters
- Wood-Pellet Boiler Installation Programmes for low income households
New Health Routes to Support Young Families at Risk of Fuel Poverty
The 2012 Marmot Review identified children living in cold homes as being twice as likely to develop respiratory illnesses compared to children living in warm homes. The project empowers stakeholders to identify families whose children are at most risk of fuel poverty. It focuses on families with children aged 5 and under, and older children with respiratory and cardiovascular problems.
The aim is to provide access to energy efficiency schemes and income maximization advice and therefore increase uptake of energy efficiency measures that will alleviate fuel poverty amongst families with children.
Transforming Northern Ireland’s Heating Systems: A Plan to Retrofit Dwellings
The rising oil prices have become the principal driver of fuel poverty. The heavy reliance on oil to heat homes in NI has been identified as the primary reason why more money is spent on energy in the region as oppose to any other region in UK.
The project aims to explore the potential to reduce oil use by upgrading, where possible, with gas or wood pellet systems. It will ascertain the costs, benefits and implications of removing old inefficient systems and upgrading insulation in homes in NI and develop a pilot programme for the retrofit of vulnerable households heated by old/inefficient oil systems.
Energy BrokeringThe World Health Organisation recommends a safe indoor temperature between 18-21 degrees. In order to comply with this it is estimated that homes require the heating to be on for more than 65% of the year. This makes energy affordability a problem for the majority of NI householders.
The project aims to expand on initial efforts for energy brokering in Belfast so that householders in the city and surrounding areas can benefit from lower energy costs and improved payment options.
Warm Homes Heating and Insulation Programme for private rentersThe private rental householder is most likely to experience severe fuel poverty as private landlords are the least likely to take advantage of free energy efficiency measures.
This project aims to review the impact and efficacy of the Warm Homes scheme on private rented householders.
The purpose is to improve future fuel poverty provision for the private rental sector, ensuring that their tenancy rights are upheld after energy improvements.
The Wood Pellet Boiler Installation ProgrammeEnergy, maintaining economic stability and affordability in housing is at the forefront of the political agenda. Not all homes in Northern Ireland can access gas and therefore becoming dependent on oil. Wood pellet systems are an alternative to oil systems with the advantage of being more affordable and environmentally friendly as a lower carbon technology.
The project will examine the impact of the programme on low-income households and explore best practice for customer-supported installation when assessing its potential rollout across Northern Ireland.
Updates on the progress of these projects will be posted on Community NI as well as Bryson’s Website. Further information can also be obtained by contacting Léo Andrade (Project Officer) at Bryson Energy via email: [email protected]
