Up to 200 Gloucestershire households could benefit from free energy efficiency advice from the county's leading sustainability charity, as Severn Wye wins £450,000 funding from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero's LEAD programme.
The funding will allow Severn Wye's home energy experts to deliver impartial, in-person energy advice to 200 households and 91 landlords across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire — at no cost!
It's never been more important to consider energy-efficient home improvements, with the cost of living crisis causing spikes in energy prices — coupled with climate change making temperatures unpredictable.
And this two-year scheme, delivered in partnership with the South West Net Zero Hub, will help eligible households in the county to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Ideal for people who are ready to make energy improvements but don't know where to start, the funding will provide a much-needed energy efficiency boost for homeowners who have the finance to pay for home improvements but need information and support to act — including those with houses considered too complex to improve due to their location or construction.
It will also enable Severn Wye to expand its services of support to help landlords identify the right energy efficiency investments for their properties.
Successful applicants will receive a free home energy advice report and energy efficiency action plan from a Severn Wye home energy specialist — a service which normally costs more than £500.
Following the home assessment, ongoing support will be available to help homeowners turn their action plan into reality, including advice on comparing quotes and support in finding installers. Severn Wye can also provide help in accessing funding towards installations for eligible households.
Jon Rattenbury, South West Net Zero Hub programme manager, said: 'We are pleased to be able to award this funding on behalf of the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to Severn Wye Energy Agency, one of six south west based organisations that has shown a real appetite to support its communities to take action to save carbon and improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
'We look forward to working with them to share the learning from the pilot projects on providing tailored advice and developing the provision of advice to support as many people as possible.’
Severn Wye's CEO, Sandy Ruthven, added: 'We're delighted to have won this funding from LEAD. Our experience working with all types of households across Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire shows that even those who have money available can lack the information or confidence to act on energy efficiency.
'Our specialist advice will enable them to cut energy bills, increase comfort levels and reduce carbon emissions.’
Households and landlords in Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire can now apply for free energy advice via the Severn Wye website.
Meanwhile, low-income households who live in off-gas homes can seek additional support, including fully-funded home improvement works, from the Warm and Well Home Upgrade Grant. See our Gloucestershire Home Upgrade Grant series, in partnership with Severn Wye, for more details.
