Choice has been working hard to support tenants to reduce yearly energy costs.
We’ve shared useful hints and tips on the various ways savings can be enjoyed across our social media channels and website ranging. from simple and inexpensive steps such as installing LEDs, to turning down a room thermostat by a single degree, which can slash annual oil and gas bills.
To mark the twenty fifth anniversary of Energy Saving Week, we also ran two Energy Clinics at Mersey Street and Park Avenue in Belfast at which representatives were on hand to offer tenants free and impartial advice regarding saving energy, reducing their carbon emissions, and enhancing home comfort levels during the colder months.
The theme of this year’s Energy Saving Week was ‘Five days to a warmer, smarter home’, with information on the potential savings that can be enjoyed by switching providers – and comparing the alternative tariffs that are currently on the market.
Choice recommends tenants explore the Consumer Council’s energy comparison tool to identify savings which can be achieved by switching energy providers. Even reading their electricity meter regularly can ensure tenants avoid overpaying providers.
“Choice is proud to be a partner of the Energy Saving Trust, which this year marks the twenty fifth anniversary of Energy Saving Week,” said Brian Rankin, Choice’s Sustainability & Energy Manager. “This is an important campaign that raises awareness of how small changes can lead to big savings for both people and the planet.
“With energy costs and sustainability increasingly on the minds of many tenants, we are delighted to have been able to offer practical and useful support through Energy Clinics and to provide advice via our website and social media, to encourage actions that can make their homes warmer, more efficient, and more affordable to run.”
As part of Energy Saving Week 2025 Choice also held a Switch and Save competition for staff to highlight the potential savings by comparing energy providers.
Based on those who took part, the competition revealed that savings could average upwards of £150 by switching providers. If all Choice staff took this step, they may be able to collectively save around £75,000.
We also held a stakeholder briefing with almost forty attendees, to outline achievements in recent years and current areas of work. This coincided with the recent launch of our Sustainability and Energy Strategy 2025-2028 which outlines our roadmap to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
The strategy builds on over a decade of work to reduce emissions and energy costs for tenants, while reinforcing Choice’s mission to ‘enrich lives through great homes and services’. Brian said: “The strategy identifies key drivers in our sector such as housing need, fuel poverty, climate and biodiversity crises, as well as energy security.
“The document also emphasises balancing decarbonisation with affordability and social equity through collaboration with government bodies, tenants, and stakeholders. Choice is committed to addressing all emission scopes, improving housing efficiency, investing in renewables, and supporting behavioural change among staff and tenants.”
Choice’s Sustainability and Energy Strategy 2025–2028 is based around three strategic priorities that consist of Providing Great Homes, Supporting Communities to Thrive, and Empowering People. In all, the plan sets out 21 measurable targets, ranging from enhancing biodiversity, managing resources efficiently, reducing waste, promoting sustainable transport and water use, and building internal skills for decarbonisation.
