That there is a barrier to asking for help when you have difficulty paying your energy bill yourself is a reality for many residents of Zwolle. “At first I found it difficult to seek help. But my supervisor convinced me to apply to Warm Home. I did receive special assistance before, but you can’t do everything from that,” says Ms. Hendriks*.
Visit from energy coach Anton and alderman Arjan Spaans
On February 7, energy coach Anton and alderman Arjan Spaans visited two residents: Mrs. Hendriks and Mrs. Claes*. To see what is needed in terms of energy saving measures. Both live in a rented house with their children and are not financially well off.
Mrs. Hendriks was initially excited that the alderman would be coming by. “I did find it scary at first when asked on the phone if the alderman could come along. I was afraid that my face or address would be in the media, but that didn’t happen as they also emphasized on the phone.”
Free help from Warm Home
Mrs. Claes* has lived in her rental property for more than 20 years. She has suffered from mold in the past because the house was too damp. With a son with asthma, this is not an ideal situation. Meanwhile, the mold has been resolved by the housing cooperative. But the lady could still use help to get the energy bill down. A letter from Warm Home offering free help prompted her to apply by phone. “I called Warm Thuis myself to have the project explained again. An appointment was then immediately made for a visit from the energy coach.”
Energy saving measures and tips
On the day of the visit, energy coach Anton went through the house with Ms. Claes and looked at where a lot of heat is lost. This scan showed that in several places near the windows the draft strips no longer fit well. These will be replaced, as will the brush in front of the letterbox flap to keep heat in. A handyman from Warm Home will also place foil behind the radiators and adjust the central heating boiler to 60 degrees in order to use less gas.
Both residents were also given all kinds of tips on how to get their energy bills down. Such as how best to ventilate, how to heat your rooms intelligently and how taking shorter showers makes a big difference.
Peek behind the front door
What Alderman Spaans thought of this morning? “I think it’s good that we’re not just making policy and putting things on paper, but going into practice to see what Warm Home really is. How much impact does it have and how do people experience it? I think this is very important for me, as an administrator, to know. I wanted to look behind the front door, because that also helps me in my conversations with my colleagues and partners in the city. I like to hear that people are happy with Warm Home and take advice to heart.”
Lots of other help
Low-income residents of Zwolle are not only entitled to help from Warm Home. There are many other schemes that can help for extra money or support.
*The names of both residents are not their real names. We changed those because of their privacy.