Households are being “strongly encouraged” to take advantage of a new scheme which could significantly slash energy bills this year.
Leeds City Council is the latest local authority to offer residents £15.5million in support through the Home Upgrade Scheme.
This is an initiative which offers homeowners free energy saving improvements if they do not use a gas boiler as their main central heating system.
Families can get more environmentally-friendly alternatives for a significant discount or for free under the scheme. This could mean money off air source heat pumps, or free electric radiators and insulation.
Councils are offering support to households
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To be entitled to this scheme, households will usually need to have an income of £31,000 or less and have an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G.
Those interested in applying for this support can check their eligibility using the checker on the Government’s website.
Applicants will be asked if they own their home and if a gas boiler is used to heat their home. They will also be told to enter their home address into the eligibility checker.
If someone is entitled to this support, their local council will usually contact them within 10 working days to get more information and arrange a home survey.
Not every local authority is administering this assistance at the moment but Leeds City Council is urging residents to take advantage of it as soon as possible.
Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space, “strongly encouraged” those in the area to take advantage of the scheme to save as much money as possible.
He said: “Tackling heat waste from our homes is a win-win-win. It helps household finances, improves our health, and is good for the planet too.
“While some homeowners can afford to invest in energy-saving measures with the right financial and technical advice, we know that many others will need additional support to access the benefits of green home upgrades.”
Gas company Everwarm is working with Leeds City Council to offer upgrades to peoples’ homes as part of the initiative.
Scott Paton, the group’s operations director, added: “With the ongoing cost of living pressures facing many this winter, there has never been a more important time to make people aware of the support that is available to them.
“The measures we can install through the scheme can make residents’ homes more energy efficient and importantly, can help residents make savings on their energy bills.”
The Home Upgrade Grant will be available until March 31, 2025. Leeds City Council has confirmed applications for the scheme will be “dealt on a first-come, first-served basis”.
