Sustainable Warmth

West Oxfordshire District Council has been allocated £1,067,000 funding to support the new Government-backed Sustainable Warmth scheme, which will be used to upgrade local homes with modifications that will boost energy performance, increase their comfort and lessen the impact of rising household energy bills. Low-income households can now apply for free funding to install a range of energy-saving improvements to reduce energy usage, make their homes warmer and healthier, and keep energy costs under control.

Eligible households must meet the following criteria:

·         The house must be privately owned or privately rented with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Some D rated properties may also be considered.

And

·         The household must have an annual household income – including any benefits of under £30,000 (before tax and deductions) or under £20,000 (after rent or mortgage costs have been deducted.

The number of children in the household will also be considered and any recent loss of income.

The Sustainable Warmth funding is available for homes on or off mains gas. The level of grants available are:

Owner occupied properties

For eligible households on mains gas, grants are available of up to £10,000.

For homes not connected to mains gas, the grant is on a sliding scale from £10,000 to £25,000.

Privately rented sector

To qualify, tenants must meet the income eligibility and the landlord will need to contribute a minimum of one third towards the cost of the upgrades

For privately rented properties connected to mains gas, the grant is up to £5,000. For properties not connected to mains gas, the grant is on a sliding scale, from £10,000 to £16,666. If costs exceed the maximum grant available, additional investment by the landlord is required.

The Sustainable Warmth grants will fund the following energy efficiency improvements:

·         Improvements to insulation (loft, cavity and wall) and ventilation

·         Upgrades to a low-carbon heating system, for example replacing a gas or oil boiler with an air source heat pump (the new heating system cannot include a gas or oil boiler)

·         Heating controls

·         Solar PV to generate electricity

·         Energy efficient lighting

Approved installers are used. Homeowners do not have to contribute to any costs or pay back the grant afterwards.

City Energy is administering the scheme on behalf of WODC. Grants are provided on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications are made online via City Energy’s website www.oxfordshire-applications.co.uk or by calling 02921 680951. Please also see the Sustainable Warmth webpage on the West Oxfordshire District Council website.