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Impartial Advice - History - Who is EECN?

The Home Energy Advice Centre (HEAC) is a not-for-profit, independent and impartial advice service for all New Zealanders. The service is managed by the Energy Efficiency Community Network (EECN) and delivered by non-profit community organisations around New Zealand.

Our mission is to provide timely, appropriate, accurate and impartial energy efficiency advice offering practical solutions to help our customers reduce their energy bills and improve well-being.

Home Energy Advice Centres provide:

  • 0800 freephone advice
  • Written advice and information
  • Home visits (Home Energy Checks)
  • Outreach services (presentations to community groups, schools, businesses etc.)
  • Referrals to government supported schemes and energy efficiency suppliers and services

Our service has no commercial affiliation and is funded by central and local government, and other community organisations. Some of the delivery organisations operate community insulation retrofit projects, however any advice provided by a HEAC advisor follows strict protocols for impartial and unbiased advice.

What do we mean by Impartial Advice?

One of our advisors at work

“Impartial advice” is advice which provides a fair, balanced, and unbiased assessment of a householder’s problem or query and identifies potential solutions.

Any information provided must be selected solely on the basis of its relevance and usefulness to the householder.

Any course of action must be motivated solely by the desire to achieve the best solution for the householder. Advice must never be compromised by payment, favour, fear or prejudice.

Home Energy Advice Centres provide advice based on a formal Code of Practice and Operating Protocols. Advisors are trained in technical advice, customer service, and are knowledgeable on local energy efficiency suppliers and services.

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History

The HEAC concept was developed by EECN based on a perceived and experienced need for independent, locally relevant, and personalised energy efficiency advice. While NZ has a wide variety of information and advice services, there was a significant gap in advice provision that householders could contact to have their energy questions answered without commercial imperatives.

The HEAC model has been based on the successful UK model of Energy Efficiency Advice Centres  run by the Energy Saving Trust. There are currently 52 Energy Efficiency Advice Centres around the UK, all operating under a set of protocols developed by the Energy Saving Trust. The Centres are based within non-profit trusts, local government departments, and other community organisations. They provide local and impartial advice to householders within their area, and are linked by a single free-phone line.

The HEAC project was initiated by EECN in 2006 with funding from the Minister for the Environment’s Sustainable Management Fund. The first HEAC was launched in Wellington, based at Sustainability Trust in March 2007. Further funding for the Wellington pilot was provided by Wellington City Council.

A second year of funding from the Sustainable Management Fund and support from Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority allowed for the continuation of the Wellington service and development of two further HEACs in Auckland and Christchurch (Centres open March 2009).

Our vision is to open two more HEACs in the central North Island and Otago/Southland in early 2010. Five Centres with in depth, local knowledge will provide significant assistance to NZ households dealing with rising energy bills, climate change, and a confusing array of energy efficiency services and products to choose from.

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Who is EECN?

Energy Efficiency Community Network, or EECN, is a registered not-for-profit trust comprised of six non-profit community organisations involved in energy efficiency services and advice delivery throughout New Zealand.

EECN member trusts include:

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