Helping you with energy bills and heating your home

Coronavirus - Green Homes Grant

The government has announced a  £2 billion aid package to upgrade homes across England , £1.5 billion of which is to be available direct to homeowners in the form of a grant. 

The scheme started on 30th September 2020 and will finish in March 2021.

It is pen to homeowners and landlords in England (tenants cannot apply for themselves). It covers owner-occupied homes and park homes as well as private and social rented housing. The grant will be issued in the form of vouchers, redeemable against the cost of installing eligible ‘measures’:

• energy efficiency improvements (e.g. insulation or double glazing); and/or
• low carbon heating

There are some measures that are not covered by the scheme. Check the government website before applying.

What schemes are there?

There are two schemes available:

• General Scheme whereby ouchers will cover up to 67% of the cost of qualifying improvements to the home. Maximum value of the grant is £5,000 per property (which means the total cost of the works can be up to £7,500)
• Low Income Scheme whereby vouchers will cover 100% of the costs up to a maximum of £10,000. The homeowner must be in receipt of certain benefits to qualify. Landlords not eligible to apply

Any cost above the maximum value of the grant must be met by the property owner.

What work can be covered by the grant?

The grant can help cover the cost of installation of items such as insulation or installing a heat pump. It can also be used to install doors and windows. A full list of what can be paid for is on the government website.

There are a list of approved installers for the scheme. 

How to apply for the Green Homes Grant?

You must apply on the Simple Energy Advice website .

The Big Allerdale Swith

The Big Allerdale Switch is a free and easy way to save money on your energy bills and enjoy a warmer home, whether you are on dual-fuel, separate supplier contracts or a pre-payment meter.

By coming together as a group, you could get a better deal - and all the hard work is done for you.

All you need to do, is register on the  Big Allerdale Switch website  or call us on 0303 123 1702 or visit an Allerdale Borough Council service centre with a recent energy bill or statement to hand.

Registration is open and you are able to sign up now.

Since we began the scheme, residents who have used the Big Allerdale Switch have together saved more than £250,000.

Energy suppliers will be invited to bid against each other in an auction to find their best deal. You will then be told how much you could save if you choose to switch, although you are under no obligation to do so.

Want to know more?

The video below explains how collective switching works.

Keep Well, Keep Warm - information and financial support for the winter months

More information about maintaining good health during winter and the financial help available for the over 60s, low-income families and people living with a disability can be found on  the government website. .

Helping cold homes become cosy in our district

We are supporting a free project to help residents struggling with cold and draughty houses and help cut heating costs.

Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) won funding to work with local councils and other partners to offer a Cold to Cosy Homes service, making free advice, energy-saving equipment and other practical help available to householders.

Its advisors give advice over the phone and ensure that energy saving measures are in place to reduce energy use and costs.

Residents can save money on their energy bills through simple measures like LED light bulbs, draught exclusion and radiator reflectors, all offered free of charge through the scheme.

The advisor can assess needs like draught proofing for doors and chimneys and radiator reflectors on their call and arrange for measures to be posted out or arrange for a professional installer to fit measures like loft hatch draught proofing.

There is a wide range of eligibility based on income, health and vulnerability criteria.

Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria is delivered by CAfS, with a network of trusted Cumbrian tradespeople carrying out the more substantial energy efficiency installations. It is funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme and partners include Local Energy Advice Partnership (or LEAP) and all the counties local authorities.

Andrew Northcott, energy efficiency project manager with CAfS, said: “Booking a call means you get expert advice on ways to get a warmer home, save energy at home, cut your bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Many calls can lead on to real benefits, making big improvements to warmth and energy use”

“I suggest people contact us as soon as possible to check eligibility for the free scheme and book a call.”

“By partnering with local authorities we have been able to provide many more visits across the district and focus on the areas and households that can benefit the most." Apply for a free Cold to Cosy Homes advice call by emailing the team or calling: 01768 216500.