STEP-IN

The project STEP-IN (www.step-in-project.eu) aims to help energy poor homes reduce their energy bills and the environmental impact by better managing their consumption. This is done by the method of living labs. Energy advisors meet people at "energy cafés" or during home visits and follow their energy situation's evolution through time. Results will be published in workshops, policy meetings, public events and reports. Trained energy advisors look for people who could be in financial difficulties due to their energy bill or who have to "choose between heating and eating ". Communication and information are keys to reach a maximum of households since they have to be voluntarily participating to the initiative.

With a budget of over 1 million €, the goal of this consulting phase is to:

• Improve energy literacy and awareness for vulnerable consumers.
• Support behaviour change to improve comfort levels and reduce energy costs.
• Enable informed decisions on energy efficiency and consumption.
• Use of communication tools to assist decision-making Using the results of the ground experiences, the initiative wants to provide a global methodology to be adopted and adapted by all actors and authorities working in the field of energy poverty.

The key outcomes of the project is that it allows to see isolated people, e.g ederly, and help them. Information is a key component for reduction of energy consumption so it allowed those who didn't have access to the necessary knowledge before to make the simple changes.

The project started in 2018 and was completed in 2021. It benefited energy advisors and national/local authorities. It addressed the topics of area-based targeting, health, behaviour, heating and cooling system, indoor comfort (thermal comfort, housing quality), information and awareness, renewable energy, energy access and consumption, social support, equity and justice (gender equality, socio-economic gaps) and vulnerable consumers (disabled, students, tenants, public housing inhabitants).