PROJECT ACHIEVE – REDUCING ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN FUEL-POOR HOUSEHOLDS

Abstract

ACHIEVE is a European project for reducing energy and water consumption in fuel-poor households. The project is carried out in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Great Britain and Slovenia; it ad-
dresses the problem of fuel poverty and achieves savings for end customers through practical measures and solutions on a structural level. A group of energy advisers implements free energy audits in households that are experiencing difficulties in meeting their basic energy needs. While implementing free visits to households, energy advisers first, with the help of household members, analyse the situation and check the consumption of electricity, heat and water. On that basis, they calculate potential savings, which is followed by the preparation of a set of advice for reducing the use of energy and water. During the second visit, these recommendations are presented to the household; the advisers also install free devices for energy and water savings. Based on statistics for the first 60 implemented visits in Slovenia, an average reduction in electricity consumption is 12.3%, in water consumption 11.4% and in heating energy consumption 6.2%. CO2 reductions are 248 kg per year per household, and it is estimated that households could have an average saving of more than €90 per year.