In the current financial climate with soaring fuel bills, energy efficiency is important to everyone. We understand the strains this may put you under and we are taking steps to ensure that you are aware of what you can do to be more energy efficient and save money.

We work with local estate agents D.B Roberts & Partners to provide all new and re-let properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). An EPC shows tenants how efficient their home is, how much it may cost to heat it and what can be done to cut their fuel bills. This extra information and guidance can help you to prepare for the winter fuel payments by making your home more efficient at retaining warmth.

We are also working with Energyextra to help you reduce your fuel bills. Energyextra is a group of 13 Housing Associations and Local Authorities set up to help tenants get cheaper gas and electricity.  We can arrange for you to see an expert Home Energy Advisor who will make sure you are getting the best deal for your gas and electricity and help you be more efficient in your home. Best of all the service is free!.

We have a number of electricity monitors that you can borrow. The monitor tells you how much electricity is being used in your house and how much it is costing. This prompts you and your family to turn off lights that aren't needed and switch off appliances rather than leaving them on standby. The monitors are a great way to get the whole family interested in saving energy and are very simple to use.

Over the last year we have fitted over 600 new boilers and 130 central heating systems as part of the Decent Homes Standard. A new boiler can save around £130 per year from the average heating bill.

Dave Hall, Head of Asset Management at The Wrekin Housing Trust, said: "Energy efficiency is a global issue and the increase in fuel costs has made it even more important to ensure that everyone is doing what they can to be more efficient. The Trust has a number of projects in place to help and by working with other organisations such as Energy Extra we hope this will make a big difference to our tenants."