If you are a resident in a low income, low energy efficient home, there is Government funded support designed to help keep your home warm for longer while using your heating less.
West Suffolk Council has already completed more than £1.5m of energy efficiency improvements to around 150 homes. We carried out a survey with residents who had the work done and 97 per cent of those who responded, said their home now stayed warmer for longer. You can hear from some of the residents who have already benefitted at https://youtu.be/h-fwlPg02wQ
Now we are aiming to deliver improvements to another 150 households by the end of March when the current Government funding is due to end.
The scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes that have a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G. Residents can check their EPC rating at www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate – the website contains useful information for all households on steps they can take to improve the energy efficiency of their home. If their property doesn’t have an EPC, one will be carried out as part of the scheme.
Households need to be on an income of £30,000 or less to be eligible for this work. The scheme is open to residents who own their home or are paying a mortgage. Tenants who are in a private rented home can also qualify but their landlord would need to pay for part of the work. Housing association tenants should contact their landlord to see if they qualify for improvements.
As well as helping residents stay warm and keep their heating costs as low as can be, the work also reduces carbon emissions and is part of our wider work to improve the environment and tackle climate change.
The money for the scheme has been awarded by the Government’s Department for Business, Energy, and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is subject to Government criteria.
You can register to be considered at www.warmhomessuffolk.org
After registering, you will be contacted to arrange a site visit from a council officer to discuss the work that will be most beneficial to their home.
In the meantime, we will continue to update our cost-of-living webpage at www.westsuffolk.gov.uk/cost-of-living