FAQs
Green Doctors’ Home Energy Consultation Services FAQs
1. What is Green Doctors Home Energy Advice Service?
The Green Doctors offer free and impartial advice to help people save energy and money whilst staying warm and living greener. Consultations are provided either via Telephone or Home visits or both, depending on your location.
2. Can I refer my family and friends to the Green Doctor’s service?
Yes, you can. Please use the online form to register yourself, your friends and/or family, or call the Green Doctors Team at 0300-365-3005, please do ask for their permission to do so before completing the form. If you are a front-line worker or social prescriber, please fill in the same form.
3. What happens at a Green Doctor consultation?
During the consultation, a Green Doctor would:
- Provide energy-saving advice: The Green Doctor will assess your home on a room-by-room basis to offer personalized advice on saving energy and money.
- Install small energy-saving measures: The Green Doctor will assess your home on a room-by-room basis to offer personalized advice on saving energy and money. Where applicable, they will also install small energy-saving measures such as LED light bulbs, draught-proofing tapes (to seal gaps around doors and windows), radiator foils, and adjustments to your heating system’s thermostats to optimise its efficiency.
- Assist with energy debts, grants, and discounts: The Green Doctor can help you address billing enquiries and debt clearance with your energy supplier(s). They also assist you in applying for available energy-saving grants or discounts
- Signpost you to additional support: They will also inform you about additional energy saving and cost of living support available at your local council and other organisations active in your area.
4. How long does the consultation typically last? / How much time should I expect the consultation to take?
The phone consultation lasts 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your energy needs. Home visits take about 90 minutes.
5. What is the difference between a home visit and a telephone consultation?
The advice offered is the same for both. The only difference is that during a home visit, the Green Doctor can install small energy-saving measures in your home.
6. Do I need to prepare for a home or telephone consultation?
To help the Green Doctors provide the best advice, please have your energy bills ready. During the consultation, they will ask about the age of your boiler and any necessary home repairs undertaken or planned. Don’t worry if you don’t have all the information handy; you can always share it after the call or visit.
7. Can a Green Doctor help me switch tariffs?
Yes, the Green Doctor can advise you on your bills and suggest the best tariff for you. Please have your utility bills ready for the consultation so the Green Doctor can review your charges.
8. If I have electricity, gas, or water debts, how can Green Doctor support me to clear them?
The Green Doctor can help you manage and clear your energy or water debts by providing advice on available support options. They can assist with billing enquiries, debt clearance, and applying for grants or discounts. With your consent, they can also fill out forms and apply for financial assistance on your behalf.
9. How do I reschedule an appointment if I can’t make it anymore?
To reschedule an appointment, please contact us on 0300 3653 005 or email GreenDoctorsLDN@groundwork.org.uk. This helps us to allocate the appointment to another service user. Green Doctors is a busy charitable service and short notice cancellations or non attendance at appointments cost us both time and money, please help us keep this to a minimum.
10. How do I know if I am eligible for the Green Doctor’s Service?
Green Doctors’ support people who are struggling to pay their energy bills. Some of our projects specifically support households who are on a low income, have young children, in receipt of benefits, have long term health conditions or are registered disabled. To know if you are eligible, please give us a call at 0300-365-3005 or email us at GreenDoctorsLDN@groundwork.org.uk .
11. Does the Green Doctor Service provide direct financial support?
The Green Doctor service does not provide direct financial support. However, if you are struggling to pay your energy bills or fund larger energy-saving measures for your home (e.g., boilers or insulation), our Green Doctors can advise you on grants and other forms of assistance you may be eligible for.
12. What areas of London are covered by the Green Doctors service?
The Green Doctor service currently operates across London. However, due to funding restrictions we sometime cannot cover all locations. Please contact the Green Doctors team at 0300-365-3005 to find out if the service is available in your area.
13. How long does it take to get a Green Doctors appointment?
Upon receiving your enquiry, we aim to contact you within 3 working days to book an appointment with a Green Doctor within 4-6 weeks. During busy periods, it may take up to 10 working days to book your appointment, which may be scheduled within 8 weeks.
14. Will get a reminder for my appointment?
Yes, the Green Doctor will call or send a text to remind you of your appointment at least 24 hours before. In the case of any changes or delays at their end (due to London traffic or parking), they will update you as soon as possible.