My experience
I am an energy assessor and advisor who has been working in the sustainable energy field for over 20 years.
I started out as an Energy Advisor for the Oxford Energy Advice Centre (Oxford EAC) in November 1997; Oxford EAC offered free impartial energy saving advice to householders on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
In April 1999, West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and Cherwell District Council (CDC) took over the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) contract and created Thames Valley Energy Centre (TVEC), based at WODC's offices; between 1999 and 2008 my role moved from Energy Advisor, to Senior Energy Advisor, to Advice Services Manager. As well as offering tailored impartial advice to householders via telephone, face-to-face at events and in their homes, I also ran training sessions, attended many 'eco' events and worked on projects to promote energy saving measures, such as the Big Green Boiler Scheme, Big Green Insulation Scheme, Solarsavers, Light & Energy and Snug As A Bug.
In July 2008, TVEC merged with Milton Keynes Energy Agency (MKEA) to become United Sustainable Energy Agency (USEA). With so many changes in the Advice Centre, this seemed as good a time as any, after 11 years providing domestic advice, to move to Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA).
From September 2008 I worked as a Project Manager at Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA), involved in a range of projects covering everything from domestic energy surveys to community building renewable energy feasibility studies to organising and delivering seminars, training and study tours. Domestic energy surveys undertaken at SWEA generally involved re-visiting the householder with a tailored report and offering impartial advice, often with further support to arrange the most appropriate energy saving measures to be installed.
In February 2013 I qualified as a Green Deal Advisor. I am accredited to undertake both Energy Performance Certificates and full Green Deal Advice Reports and am now able to offer a fully independent and impartial service in West Oxfordshire. I have also trained dozens of other Green Deal Advisors, through the Energy Advice Training Consortium.
From August 2015 to April 2018 I worked as Energy Advice Officer at Oxford City Council, offering home visits to council tenants to give a range of advice to save energy and money.
From April 2018 I reduced my workload to focus on getting well after a serious illness, going back to my self-employed Domestic Energy Assessor role.
I started out as an Energy Advisor for the Oxford Energy Advice Centre (Oxford EAC) in November 1997; Oxford EAC offered free impartial energy saving advice to householders on behalf of the Energy Saving Trust (EST).
In April 1999, West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) and Cherwell District Council (CDC) took over the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) contract and created Thames Valley Energy Centre (TVEC), based at WODC's offices; between 1999 and 2008 my role moved from Energy Advisor, to Senior Energy Advisor, to Advice Services Manager. As well as offering tailored impartial advice to householders via telephone, face-to-face at events and in their homes, I also ran training sessions, attended many 'eco' events and worked on projects to promote energy saving measures, such as the Big Green Boiler Scheme, Big Green Insulation Scheme, Solarsavers, Light & Energy and Snug As A Bug.
In July 2008, TVEC merged with Milton Keynes Energy Agency (MKEA) to become United Sustainable Energy Agency (USEA). With so many changes in the Advice Centre, this seemed as good a time as any, after 11 years providing domestic advice, to move to Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA).
From September 2008 I worked as a Project Manager at Severn Wye Energy Agency (SWEA), involved in a range of projects covering everything from domestic energy surveys to community building renewable energy feasibility studies to organising and delivering seminars, training and study tours. Domestic energy surveys undertaken at SWEA generally involved re-visiting the householder with a tailored report and offering impartial advice, often with further support to arrange the most appropriate energy saving measures to be installed.
In February 2013 I qualified as a Green Deal Advisor. I am accredited to undertake both Energy Performance Certificates and full Green Deal Advice Reports and am now able to offer a fully independent and impartial service in West Oxfordshire. I have also trained dozens of other Green Deal Advisors, through the Energy Advice Training Consortium.
From August 2015 to April 2018 I worked as Energy Advice Officer at Oxford City Council, offering home visits to council tenants to give a range of advice to save energy and money.
From April 2018 I reduced my workload to focus on getting well after a serious illness, going back to my self-employed Domestic Energy Assessor role.
My qualifications
Relevant qualifications, in chronological order:
- BSc (Hons) Environmental Biology (1997)
- City & Guilds 6176 Energy Awareness (1998)
- EcoHomes Assessor (2004)
- Renewable Energy Essentials (2007)
- Code for Sustainable Homes Assessor (2008)
- Green Deal Advisor (incorporating Domestic Energy Assessor) (2013)
- Postgraduate Diploma in Sustainability & Adaptation (from the Centre for Alternative Technology/University of East London) (2017)
Other stuff that I do
Outside of my work time as an energy assessor I describe myself as an 'eco-warrior in training' - I try to do my best to minimise my environmental footprint, not only through my energy saving efforts, but also through leading a vegan, humanist lifestyle. I even have a bicycle trailer which carries my extending ladder when I'm working very locally!
I believe very strongly in continuous learning and have recently been studying some short modules with the Open University. In September 2013 I started the MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies (now MSc Sustainability & Adaptation) at the Centre for Alternative Technology in North Wales; having completed the Postgraduate Diploma in 2017, I pulled out of my studies to focus on my health.
I believe very strongly in continuous learning and have recently been studying some short modules with the Open University. In September 2013 I started the MSc Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies (now MSc Sustainability & Adaptation) at the Centre for Alternative Technology in North Wales; having completed the Postgraduate Diploma in 2017, I pulled out of my studies to focus on my health.
