LEAP: Helping Those That Need It
Fuel Poverty Can Affect Anyone
According to the National Energy Action (NEA), as of April 2025, around 6.1 million people in the UK are living in fuel poverty. This alarmingly high number shows the widespread impact of rising energy costs on people from all walks of life, regardless of age or background. As the cost of living continues to rise, it’s more important than ever to come together and support one another.
At Green Energy Switch, we talk a lot about the LEAP service because we know how much of a difference it can make. While we often think of older relatives or neighbours when we hear the term fuel poverty, the truth is it can affect anyone. Job losses during the pandemic and ongoing financial pressures mean that even someone you pass in the street might be struggling.
Why LEAP Matters
LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) is a national scheme funded by AgilityEco. It enables us at Green Energy Switch to deliver completely free home energy visits for eligible residents across Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire, Rutland, and Fenland.
*If you live outside of these areas, don’t worry! LEAP operates nationwide with trusted local partners. So wherever you are, there’s someone just like us near you offering the same fantastic support.
Last year alone, our advisors helped over 800 households, saving £843,757.12 on their energy bills, installing more than 1,500 free energy-saving products, and reducing 236.3 tonnes of carbon emissions across the region. These visits are a genuine lifeline for households struggling with rising energy costs, damp or draughty homes, or uncertainty about their bills.
What Happens on a Free Home Energy Visit?
A free home visit offers personalised, one-to-one advice and practical support from one of our trained Home Energy Advisors. Here’s how we can help you stay warm and prepare for winter:
Offer personalised advice – Tailored to your home, lifestyle, and specific needs. Every visit is unique, and our advisors take the time to answer your questions and explain things clearly so you feel more confident managing your energy.
Tackle cold homes – We’ll look at ways to make your home warmer and more efficient, such as fitting draughtproofing measures (like door excluders and window tape), suggesting low-cost heating tips like closing doors, using thick curtains, and heating key rooms effectively, and checking your existing insulation.
Fit simple energy-saving measures – Including LED lightbulbs, radiator panels, draught excluders and TV standby devices to help you save energy every day.
Check your bills and tariffs – We’ll review your bills, help you understand them, and see if you could be paying less. Our advisors can even contact suppliers during your visit to help find cheaper tariffs or apply discounts on your behalf.
Identify extra income and financial support – Many households miss out on benefits or grants they’re entitled to. Through our partnership with IncomeMax and other organisations, we can help you access extra financial support, such as Pension Credit, Discretionary Housing Payments, and other local assistance funds.
Help with damp and mould – We provide practical tips and, in some cases, dehumidifiers. Helping to manage condensation and improve indoor air quality.
Maximise comfort and safety – We’ll check smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, ensure your heating is working safely, and offer advice on keeping your home at a healthy temperature.
Support with landlord conversations – Our advisors can offer guidance to help you speak confidently to your landlord about repairs, heating issues, or damp.
Peace of mind and reassurance – Many residents tell us they finish their visit feeling calmer, more informed, and “over the moon” with the advice they’ve received.
Access wider support schemes
You may be eligible for help such as:
- LEAP Appliance Scheme – Free energy-efficient white goods such as fridges, freezers or air fryers.
- Water bill discounts – Schemes like Thames Water’s Customer Assistance Fund or LITE tariff. Which can clear arrears or lower future bills.
- LEAP Boiler Scheme – Access to energy-efficiency upgrades through schemes like Warmer Homes.
Real Results from LEAP Visits
The benefits of home visit can be life-changing. Here’s what LEAP visits have helped residents achieve:
Improved health and wellbeing thanks to warmer, drier homes and lower stress about bills.
£3,000 extra annual income unlocked through benefit checks and income-maximisation support.
Energy arrears written off through water provider assistance funds.
Free heating oil and Warm Home Discount vouchers awarded to help with energy costs.
New, energy-efficient appliances and heating systems installed to replace costly or broken ones.
Who Can Apply for LEAP?
You could be eligible if you receive any of the following benefits:
Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Contribution-based ESA. Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA). Income Support. Pension Guarantee Credit or Pension Savings Credit. Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit. Universal Credit. Housing Benefit. Council Tax Reduction. A disability-related benefit (including Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Severe Disablement Allowance, Adult Disability Benefit or Child Disability Benefit). Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit.
OR if your total annual household income is less than £31,000.
Get free energy support today
If you or someone you know is struggling, please know you are not alone. LEAP is here to help — and every story of hope and resilience brings us one step closer to ending fuel poverty in our communities.
Together, we can ensure everyone has a warm, safe home. To find out more about LEAP or check your eligibility, visit our website today. Your wellbeing matters to us.
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK. We specialise in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006, GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. We gift-aid any profits to PECT to help fund their vital work. In doing so, we are the lead sponsor of their Forest project. So far over 131,000 trees have been planted, equating to a remarkable reduction of over 1,300 tonnes of carbon emission.
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