A fund of £1.3m has been secured by the council to help support low-income families in the borough improve the energy efficiency of their homes while reducing their carbon footprint, with applications now open.
The funding, which has been secured by the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead from the Government’s Sustainable Warmth scheme, will be used to improve the energy performance of homes in the borough, including off-gas grid homes.
Eligible homeowners or private tenants can apply to receive the free energy-saving upgrades designed to lower carbon emissions and help manage energy bills. This will help families phase out high carbon, fossil fuel heating and reduce fuel poverty.
These could include:
• Wall, loft and floor insulation
• Air source, ground source or hybrid heat pumps
• Double/triple glazing to replace single glazing
• Thermostats and heating controls
• Hot water tank insulation
• Solar panels
Councillor Donna Stimson, cabinet member for climate action and sustainability, said: “As part of our commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions in the borough by 2050 at the latest, we have set ourselves some ambitious targets for carbon reduction, and I’m delighted that we have been successful in securing another substantial sum of money to continue to deliver on those commitments. This grant follows the £850,000 the council was awarded last year to support low-income families decarbonise their homes.
“Our Environment & Climate Strategy sets out our commitment to help the borough tackle climate change and use our influence and position to bring about positive change. Being awarded this funding is a demonstration of our ability to draw down funding from central Government to put our commitment into action.
“With energy bills rising substantially it is vital we provide support to those households who need it most. These upgrades will help families manage energy bills, while supporting the shift to cleaner, greener energy sources. The future of our planet is in everyone’s hands and with our target of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, it means we all need to work together to achieve this.”
Funding is available for homeowners and private tenants – where the renter and landlord agree to take part in the scheme - who live in a home with a low energy rating and have an annual household income of £30,000 a year or less, or are unemployed and receive an income, health or disability benefit. For private tenants, landlords will need to agree to pay a portion of the measure costs. There is no cost to the householder.
CityEnergy, which is delivering the scheme on the council’s behalf, will assess applications and arrange a survey in the homes of eligible householders to agree what work will be carried out. Installation will be completed by an approved and trusted sub-contractor.
The Sustainable Warmth scheme was launched by the Government’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy. Councils were invited to apply for funding and demonstrate how their projects could support low-income families to improve their home’s energy performance.
To apply, visit www.berkshire-applications.co.uk or call 02921 680951.
Please apply before 31 December 2022. Applications will be assessed, with the installations coming to an end on 31 March 2023, or when the funding has been exhausted.
If you require digital assistance you can drop into any library or email sustainability@rbwm.gov.uk. Please see our library opening hours..
For further information on what the council is doing to improve the environmental sustainability of the borough, please read the Environment & Climate Strategy.