Date published: 2024-11-20 | Category: Energy at Home, energy efficiency, Household energy costs, Improving people's lives, Preparing for the Future
Residents wanting to improve the energy efficiency of their homes, save money and cut their carbon emissions are taking advantage of expert advice and funding schemes to install a range of features in their homes.
Bath & North East Somerset homeowners have successfully claimed funding to install various measures including loft, underfloor and wall insulation, air source heat pump central heating systems and solar panels.
Phase 3 of the Solar Together West of England scheme, a group buying scheme that is delivered in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) and their partner iChoosr, recently closed for applications, but more than 1000 B&NES households have registered their interest.
The scheme offered B&NES homeowners an easy way to invest in solar panels, battery storage and electric vehicle (EV) charge points.
Alan Young, a Bath & North East Somerset resident, said: “When we downsized from a large home that had well served our family for a quarter of a century, we had to say goodbye (sadly) to our solar panels. The Solar Together scheme for B&NES meant that we could install in our new home a new system, and one more refined due to advances in technology. The attractions were both the lower bills and the carbon reduction benefits.”
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. Of the 335 B&NES applicants, 53 properties have had measures installed at no cost to themselves - with a total spend of £1,272,281. An additional 26 homes have work scheduled. A new funding round will open early next year with less stringent eligibility criteria, allowing homeowners on mains gas to apply.
Residents considering making energy saving improvements to their homes but not sure where to start, recently had the opportunity to visit local homes and hear from residents about the changes they had made to their properties from draught proofing to putting in solar panels and air source heat pumps.
The Green Open Homes B&NES events, which were led by Bath & West Community Energy (BWCE) in partnership with the council, Buro Happold, Bath Preservation Trust and Transition Bath, enabled residents to visit 25 homes. Details of the properties and a summary of the measure introduced in each are still available on a searchable map at the bottom of the homepage on the BWCE website.
Councillor Oli Henman, Cabinet Project Lead for Climate Emergency and Sustainable Travel, said: “We are working with several partner organisations to make it easier for residents who want to improve the energy efficiency of their home or business property to retrofit their property to reduce their energy bills and cut their carbon footprint. Retrofitting a property not only benefits the individual business or homeowner, but it also helps us to reach our aim to be carbon neutral by 2030.”
Energy at Home is the council’s information, support and signposting service for residents looking to save money on energy bills and improve their home’s energy efficiency
It includes details of all funding sources available and links to partner organisations such as Retrofit West, which offers information and a list of installers for residents looking to get started on their retrofitting journey, as well as a 70% discount on a home energy survey, and the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) that supports residents by giving advice on energy, money, benefits and carrying out home repairs.
CSE also runs an advice pop-up stand on the first Thursday of every month outside Bath Central Library, the Podium, 11am to 2pm.
More information on the council’s Energy at Home website.
ENDS