To most people the sight of a utility bill can be scary.

But to Kate Urwin every one presents a challenge

The home energy expert helps people to compare gas and electricity tariffs, enabling them to switch to cheaper suppliers and spend less on their utility bills.

“It helps people not only to save money but to keep warmer,” she says. “People are often amazed to find that by swapping companies they could make savings of between £200 and £250 a year which is a lot of money.”

She also advise on schemes that could offer help with insulation or grants for those claiming benefits, and gives useful, money-saving tips on energy use within the home.

In a pilot project Kate, who heads the community interest company Yorkshire Energy Doctor, is delivering information to residents of Lidget Green and Scholemoor. The scheme is one of seven which have received a share of a £50,000 Northern Powergrid funding pot aimed at enabling new energy schemes to flourish in local communities.

Entering its second year, the ‘Seed Fund’ offers support for community energy projects in their early stages, providing support such as expert advice, feasibility studies and meeting spaces.

Kate is making contact with local people through events at various centres and within community groups including Lidgett Green Children’s Centre, Farnham Children’s Centre, St Wilfrid’s Church and Lidget Green Walking Club.

“There are a lot of active community groups in this area and we want to hold events in places like this and pass on information to people who could in turn let others know,” she says. “People can also be referred for a home visit.”

She adds: “I have just been to visit a woman who was with Eon, and has managed to save around £450 a year simply by changing to a different tariff. She was able to stay with the same company and was amazed by the saving.”

Bradford Council’s neighbourhood wardens are also helping to alert people to the scheme.

“It is a small area of the district in which we are trying to reach a lot of people,” says Kate. “I will be contacting people with young children, retired people, anyone - the only eligibility criteria is that they live in those areas.”

She is also speaking to benefit claimants who could be eligible to apply for a grant towards their bills.

Kate advises householders on how to manage their own energy consumption. “It is important for people to be able to properly use their heating controls to regulate the temperature and to remember turn the thermostat down when the temperature rises.”

She adds: “I offer tips to save such as not fully filling the kettle if you are making only one cup of tea, drawing the curtains as soon as it get dark and making sure that heat does not escape under curtains above radiators. People can also save by remembering not to leave chargers plugged in and switched on when nothing is charging.”

Kate also refers people to other schemes that can benefit them such as Bradford Council’s Warm Homes, Healthy People Fund, introduced by the Government, which aims to protect vulnerable individuals and communities from the effects of severe winter weather.

“We can also refer people to schemes that provide draught proofing and low energy light bulbs,” says Kate.

Bradford’s Lord Mayor and Great Horton ward councillor Joanne Dodds says: “It is an essential, basic need to have a warm home but sadly there are so many people who are struggling to heat their homes. This can have a serious impact on their health and wellbeing.

“Any initiative that helps people to improve their living conditions is so beneficial to a community, so I welcome this much needed project and all the advice and benefits it will bring to local people.”

The project will run until November this year and Kate is hopeful that the project will expand. “If we demonstrate a need we may be able to extend it in the future.”

Anne-Claire Leydier, sustainability manager at Northern Powergrid, says: “Bringing energy production and energy efficiency in communities is a growing feature of the low carbon economy.

“As the region’s electricity distributor, Northern Powergrid has a significant role to play in helping those who want to take control of their bills and reduce their energy-associated carbon footprint.”

Anyone living in in Lidget Green or Scholemoor, needing advice on reducing their energy bills can contact Kate on 07738 818391 or email kate@yorkshireenergydoctor.org.uk.