CLIMATE ACTION WENDOVER

With 40% of the country’s emissions coming from households, Climate Action Wendover welcomed the chancellor’s announcement on 8 July introducing a £2bn ‘Green Homes Grant’ to help homeowners increase the energy efficiency of their property.

To achieve a good level of energy efficiency, approximately 68% of the UK’s 28 million homes need to be upgraded which would equate to approximately 2,112 properties across the Wendover parish. Paul Moring, chair of Climate Action Wendover said: “Reducing emissions from homes is one of the many ways that will enable Wendover reach the UK’s target to become a net zero emitter by 2050.”

Under this scheme, the government will pay for at least two thirds of energy savings improvements to your home up to the value of £ 5,000 and for those on the lowest incomes, the scheme will fully fund energy efficiency measures of up to £10,000 per household.

Homeowners will be able to use the vouchers on insulation, double glazing, solar panels and heat pumps. For example, to fit insulation worth £2,000 in your home, you would pay £660 and the government would give you a voucher for the remaining £1,320.

We don’t know all of the details yet but to learn more about the scheme, visit the government website www.gov.uk/greendeal-energy-saving-measures. From this website, a good starting point is to enter your postcode to find the current energy performance certificate for your home and learn how to make it more energy efficient.

When the scheme opens in September, homeowners can apply online for the vouchers and Paul Moring said: “If you are planning energy savings improvements to your home this is a fantastic opportunity to save money on the work, reduce your future energy bills and help cut emissions.”