People in Suffolk to get support to make homes more energy efficient
It's hoped it will help reduce energy bills
Last updated 23rd Mar 2023
£8.6 million pounds is to be spent on making homes in Suffolk more energy efficient, to try and help reduce residents’ energy bills.
It comes after Suffolk's local authorities made a successful joint bid to the government's Home Upgrade Grant.
Eligible households are expected to benefit from improvements such as insulation, low carbon air source heat pumps or solar panels.
Homes that are eligible will include those that:
• are low income (household income less than £31,000)
• are off the gas grid (i.e. oil, solid fuel, electric or no heating)
• have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G
• are owner occupied or rented out by landlords (landlords will be expected to contribute towards the costs)
Councillor Andy Drummond, Chair of the Suffolk Environment Portfolio Holders’ Group, said:
“This is great news for Suffolk, as we continue to deliver on our commitment to improve energy efficiency in the county’s homes, and work toward our collective ambition of being a net zero county by 2030.
“This latest funding builds on the energy efficiency work we have already been doing on homes in recent years, through various schemes under our Warm Homes Suffolk project. Across the county, we have delivered improvements to in excess of 640 households.
“That’s fantastic for our aim to reduce carbon emissions as part of Suffolk’s Climate Emergency Plan, but crucially it is helping homeowners and tenants with their energy bills.”
Two residents who have benefitted from Government funding already delivered by Suffolk’s local authorities are Chris and Ann Britton, from near Stanton.
They had a layer of external wall insulation fitted around their home and say they've noticed the difference in their energy consumption and their day to day lives:
“The heating always used to be up to 23 degrees, but now it stays on 15. Our home heats up quicker and stays warm for much longer.
“Being pensioners on a fixed income, it has taken a lot of the worry off us. It’s been a godsend. I would say to anyone, if they have the opportunity, grab it with both hands.”