A scheme to address fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency and carbon savings in Cumbria has received almost £20 million from the Government.
The application by a consortium of district councils across the county was submitted on its behalf by Carlisle City Council earlier this year.
Its successful bid for £19.95 million in Sustainable Warmth competition was announced yesterday.
The funding aims to boost the local economy to retrofit a target of 1,310 homes – mainly in the private sector – with energy efficiency measures, including low-carbon heating across Cumbria.
Carlisle City Council bid for £5.85 million for a target of 600 homes with mains gas heating and £14,105,000 for 710 homes with non-gas heating across Cumbria.
Carlisle City councillor Paul Nedved, portfolio holder for economy, enterprise and housing, said: “This is great news for Carlisle and Cumbria. The funding will provide much needed support for housing to make it more energy efficient and provide low-carbon heating across Cumbria.
“It’ll support local residents and also provide a welcome boost to the local economy. Thanks to all partners for their support.”
The primary purpose of the Sustainable Warmth competition is to raise the energy efficiency rating of low income and low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rated households (those with E, F or G, and a limited percentage of homes with an EPC rating as D). This is expected to result in the following outcomes:
- Tackle fuel poverty by increasing low-income households’ energy efficiency rating while reducing their energy bills.
- Deliver cost effective carbon savings to carbon budgets and progress towards the UK’s target for net zero by 2050.
- Support clean growth and ensure homes are thermally comfortable, efficient, and well-adapted to climate change.
- Support economic resilience and a green recovery in response to the economic impacts of COVID-19 and create jobs.
- Learn from the delivery experience to inform the development and design of further energy efficiency and heat schemes.
Owner occupied homes can receive up to £10,000 or £25,000 per household depending on the current efficiency of their homes.
It is expected that work to owner occupier homes with be fully funded at no cost to the homeowner.
Privately rented properties are eligible for funding of up to £5,000 or up to two thirds of the cost of the measures.
To be eligible a household must have an annual income of less than £30,000, with larger thresholds for households with three or more members.
Now that funding has been confirmed, work will get underway in readiness for the scheme going live for applications in early 2022. It will be managed by Homelife Carlisle, a Home Improvement Agency, provided by Carlisle City Council.
The scheme includes free energy efficient measures, such as:
- External wall insulation.
- Internal wall and room in roof insulation.
- Air source heat pumps (Low Carbon Heating).
- Ground source heat pumps.
- Solar PV.
- Cavity wall, underfloor and loft insulation.
- Smarter heating controls.
- Single to double glazing.
