Householders on low incomes can get help to make green affordable warmth improvements to their homes thanks to new Government funding won by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
The council has successfully bid for £500,000 for its Green Homes Grant scheme to help people make energy efficiency improvements to their homes, which will support residents in need alongside the £80,000 available from the council’s Affordable Warmth Grants.
Residents whose properties have poor energy efficiency can apply for a council Green Homes Grant to upgrade their home with double glazing, insulation or low carbon-heating.
Both renters and owner-occupiers may be eligible for upgrades with landlords receiving up to two-thirds of the cost up to a maximum amount, dependent on the work required. Improvements for homeowners will be fully funded up to the maximum amount.
Households on a joint annual income of less than £30,000 can apply for a grant. The upgrade needed for their property will be identified by a property retrofit assessment visit and could include single to double glazing, loft, cavity, floor and solid wall insulation and low carbon heating such as an air source heat pump system.
When the council declared a climate emergency in March 2019, it committed to providing the leadership to enable B&NES to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030. The first phase of research identified that energy efficiency improvements were needed for the majority of existing buildings, together with zero carbon new-build.
Councillor Tim Ball, cabinet member for Housing, Planning and Economic Development, said: “It’s fantastic news for people in Bath and North East Somerset who are on low incomes that we’ve been awarded this funding. Making sure your property is as energy-efficient as possible will make your home more comfortable to live in, save money on heating bills and help us tackle the climate emergency. I’m pleased that we’ll be able to help vulnerable residents to make much-needed improvements to their homes and help cut carbon across the district. If you think you might be eligible, get in touch with us.”
To be eligible for a grant, the home needs to have an energy rating of E, F or G. If the rating is not known, the council’s delivery provider WE Care will carry out a rating on the property.
Householders can find out more and apply via the council’s Energy At Home Service. The service offers free information on energy efficiency improvement and grants and loans available. Visit the website at https://www.energyathome.org.uk/ or call 0800 038 5680.
Anyone needing emergency help for a cold home should call the council’s Housing Standards and Improvement Team on 01225 396444.
The council held a Green Homes webinar on November 19 which heard from three residents who have made carbon-cutting improvements to their homes. Watch the video on the council’s YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/BathnesCouncil. Bath & West Community Energy is running a complimentary event on November 26, Making Your Home Warm and Green https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/making-your-home-warm-and-green-tickets-127199295517
Find out more about how the council is tackling the climate emergency at https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/climate-emergency