The Sustainable Warmth scheme aims to upgrade energy inefficient homes of low-income households, helping people to save money on their energy bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions.
Delivery of the scheme is through the Greater South East Net Zero Hub. Slough Borough Council is supporting the scheme and encouraging eligible residents to apply.
The scheme incorporates two areas of funding, targeting households with a combined gross household income of less than £30,000 and living in energy inefficient homes.
The energy efficiency criteria is determined by the EPC rating of the property.
Funding is available to households heated by a gas boiler connected to the mains gas grid (on-gas), but the council is particularly keen to encourage households heated by alternative fuels including electricity, oil, liquid propane gas, and solid fuels (off-gas), to apply.
A managing agent, City Energy, will guide customers through the application journey, helping them understand and establish eligibility for the scheme. If eligible, the installer will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations.
The funding allows £10,000 per property to provide a range of energy and cost saving upgrades, depending on the specific circumstances, such as the fuel source, energy efficiency and EPC rating of the home, with up to £25,000 available for the least efficient homes heated by the most polluting fuel sources.
Councillor Mohammed Nazir, lead member for transport and the local environment, said: “With costs rising all the time, this is a real opportunity for those in energy-inefficient homes to make improvements, which will save them money in the long-term and help to reduce carbon emissions.
“If residents fit the eligibility criteria, it’s worth them applying and speaking to the experts to see if there are any measures suitable for their home.”
The council’s community development team and housing regulation team will also be contacting residents they work with who they think would be eligible for the scheme.
Applications must be made by 31 December, with the works completed by March 2023.
For more on the scheme, visit the council's website and visit the Berkshire website to apply.
Notes to editors
The Sustainable Warmth Competition is investing around £500 million across 78 projects and will help local authorities (LAs) to upgrade energy inefficient homes of low-income households in England. The projects will be completed by March 2023.
This Competition brings together 2 existing fuel poverty schemes into one funding opportunity:
Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3): a third phase of the LAD scheme with over £280 million available. LAD3 has a refined scope to support low-income households heated by mains gas
Home Upgrade Grant Phase 1 (HUG1): over £218 million for low-income households with homes that are off the gas grid through the HUG scheme.
More details on the gov.uk website.