"Stromsparcheck" (Energy-Savings-Check) for low-income households
Save up to one-fifth of electricity costs
Sixteen trained "Stromsparhelfer" have been looking for energy hogs in Gelsenkirchen since May 2009. They visit low-income households, receiving either unemployment compensation, social welfare or housing benefit, and help saving up to 100 € a year. They measure the power consumption of washers, stoves, refrigerators, light bulbs, computers, water heaters and TV's. Afterwards they provide both practical advice and complimentary energy-saving light bulbs and power strips which can be switched off.
The former permanentely unemployed persons have passed special energy-saving trainings. This project combines social, environmental and job market aspects. "In this project there are only winners: the households which save money and energy, the environment due to lower CO2 emissions and finally the energy-saving-specialists who improved their chances on the job market" says Jörg Schmalhaus, the person in charge of the project.
"Stromspar-Check" is a corporate project by "Deutscher Caritasverband" and the German agencies of energy and climate protection, by order of the Federal Environment Ministry. In Gelsenkirchen the project is conducted by the IAG and the city's environmental department.
For further information go to:
www.caritas-gelsenkirchen.de or www.stromspar-check.de