Date published: 2024-01-04 | Category: Delivering for local residents, Preparing for the Future, Energy at Home, Household energy costs, energy efficiency
Residents wanting to save money and cut their carbon emissions are taking advantage of expert advice and funding schemes to install a range of energy saving and low carbon technologies in their homes.
Bath & North East Somerset homeowners have successfully claimed funding to install various measures including loft, underfloor and wall insultation, air source heat pump central heating systems and solar panels.
The Bright Green Homes scheme, which offers funding through the government’s Home Upgrade Grant Scheme, allows low-income households without gas heating to apply for funding to install energy efficiency measures.
Bath resident Dan Colbourne applied after an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessment on his house resulted in an F rating and highlighted the lack of insulation and low-performing cavity wall insulation. The project agreed to fund the installation of cavity wall insulation, an air source heat pump and solar panels. When the work was complete, a post install EPC assessment gave the property a much-improved C rating. The measures have reduced the carbon footprint of the property and the estimated annual fuel saving will be around £2,300 per year.
Dan said: “We’re excited about what savings it will bring. But that aside, it seemed like the sensible thing to do because the work will help to future proof the house and increase its value.”
You can read a case study about the work carried out on Dan’s property on the Energy at Home website.
Another scheme that is helping B&NES homeowners to invest in solar panels and battery storage to power their properties is the Solar Together West of England scheme, a group buying scheme that was delivered in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and their partner iChoosr.
Phase 2 of the scheme recently closed, but more than 1,500 B&NES households registered their interest. Of those, 290 households have so far accepted a quote for installation.
Sources of information and funding available to residents include:
- Retrofit West Advice Service: The website includes an easy-to-use plan builder which you can use to assess your property and create a bespoke plan to improve the energy efficiency. The free advice service offers support by email or telephone to guide people through the retrofitting process. It also offers a £250 voucher off a home assessment. More information on the website.
- Bright Green Homes: For owners of properties without mains gas heating. Additional eligibility criteria apply, full information on the Energy at Home website.
- Park Homes Insulation Grant: Owners of park homes manufactured before 2015 and of timber and board construction may be eligible. Find out more on the Energy at Home website.
- Centre for Sustainable Energy advice: Guidance from trained energy experts for residents wanting to reduce their bills, insulate their homes or add energy efficiency measures. Pop up stand on the first Thursday of every month 11am to 2pm outside Bath Central Library, the Podium. Residents can also call the freephone advice line on 0800 082 2234, or email home.energy@cse.org.uk
- Owner-occupiers and landlords of B&NES homes can apply for a low-cost loan with Lendology to help spread the cost of solar or battery installation. More information on the council’s Energy at Home website.
Councillor Sarah Warren, deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “As the cost of energy continues to rise people are looking for ways to reduce their energy bills and cut their carbon footprint. We are working with several partner organisations to make it easier for all our residents who want to improve the energy efficiency of their home or business property to get help - whether that is grant funding, expert advice or lower costs through group purchase systems like Solar Together. While it obviously benefits the individual business or homeowner, it is also helping us to reach our aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
The council’s Trading Standards team is warning residents to be on the lookout for cold callers offering a ‘free’ loft survey as a way to sell the installation of spray foam insultation and urging them to have an impartial assessment carried out on their home to find out which energy-efficiency measures will actually be beneficial before agreeing to have any work done.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “Be on the lookout for cold callers offering ‘free’ surveys of lofts. These dishonest traders and companies are attempting to exploit the cost-of-living crisis by targeting those who want to make their homes more energy-efficient and are often giving misleading information about the suitability of current loft insulation and potential government funding.”
The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) offers information about spray foam on its website.
If you think a business has broken the law or acted unfairly, you can report them to Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 0808 223 1133.
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