NEWS RELEASE
27 March 2008

As winter approaches, what better time to call the new energy saving free helpline?

Administered by the Sustainability Trust, the phone line will provide free, independent professional advice for people wanting to discuss their home energy needs. It is available to householders in Wellington City, Lower Hutt, Waikanae and Kapiti Coast and is a pilot for the rest of the country for the first six months. The Trust will complement the helpline with outreach and community programmes to be delivered in Wellington City.

Mayor Kerry Prendergast says Wellington City Council is delighted to take part in the trial.

“This is a fantastic initiative and I would encourage all Wellingtonians to make use of the advice line. Wellington City Council is working hard to reduce its and the city’s carbon footprint. Initiatives like this can only assist us in making that possible, both in the city and throughout the region, as Wellingtonians take advantage of the advice and expertise on offer,” she says.

Sustainability Trust Energy Advisor, Sarah Free, says that by using the helpline, people can discover more ways to improve the comfort levels in their homes while saving money on energy costs.

“We want to make people aware that there are many options out there and that in some cases they may even be entitled to subsidies for installing energy-saving measures such as insulation. Our advice is completely independent and we don’t promote any particular brands. Our role is to help people decide for themselves what will best suit them,” she says.

The Sustainability Trust received $40,000 from the Council’s social grants pool, and $10,000 from the environmental grants pool to go towards the helpline, which will operate between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Thursday. The helpline also received funding from the Ministry for the Environment.

The free phone number, 0800 388 588, will be operational from Monday 31 March. Mayor Kerry Prendergast, Wellington Central MP Marion Hobbs and Chief Executive of Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority, Michael Underhill will trial out the new phone lines at midday, 31 March, at the Sustainability Trust’s offices at 9 Regent Street, Newtown (ECO House).

Media are invited to attend.

ENDS

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