Local companies urged to take advantage of new energy efficiency installation scheme

Liverpool aims to stem rise of HMOs

Builders and plumbers in Liverpool are being urged to register for a new £2 billion government subsidised scheme to make homes more energy efficient.

Under the Green Homes Grant, homeowners can get grant towards the cost of the likes of insulation and low carbon heating, up to the value of £5,000 per household or £10,000 for those on benefits.

To be an eligible business to deliver the scheme, they have to register with Trust Mark – but so far very few in the city have done so.

Councillor Barry Kushner, Cabinet member for regeneration, said: “The Green Homes Grant is a great opportunity for builders and plumbers in Liverpool. The scheme was launched last week, but only 15 local companies are registered with Trust Mark to be part of the programme.

“I call on local businesses to take advantage of this opportunity and register, so that our houses are retro-fitted by local companies, rather than the work going to firms outside of the area.”

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, Cabinet member for the environment and sustainability said: “The Green Homes Grant is a welcome funding opportunity for ‘retro-fitting’ many of the houses in our city and improving their energy efficiency. This should reduce the amount of energy we use as we try to reach zero carbon over the next decade. It also helps to keep heating costs down for residents, keeping people warm indoors and so improving health.

“The houses in Liverpool tend to be quite old with a majority built pre-war, and these are typically much harder to heat and more expensive to improve. Reducing the energy consumption in Liverpool’s homes is essential if we are to use less fuel and keep everyone warm.”

The Green Homes Grant gives homeowners and landlords vouchers to install:

  • Insulation (such as loft, cavity wall or floor insulation)
  • Low carbon heating (such as heat pumps, biomass pellet boiler or solar thermal)

In addition, households can use vouchers for further energy-saving measures. These include one or more of the following:

  • Double/triple glazing (only where replacing single glazing)
  • Energy-efficient doors (only where replacing doors installed prior to 2002)
  • Draught proofing
  • Heating controls and insulation, such as thermostats and smart heating controls.

More information for householders is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/apply-for-the-green-homes-grant-scheme

Related Posts