FOLLOWING figures that showed only 109 Solihull residents were offered help to better insulate their homes, Solihull Council has launched the Solihull Green Homes scheme.
Last week, the borough’s leader of the Liberal Democrats, Councillor Laura McCarthy, said the scheme had previously failed families in the area.
Liberal Democrat data showed just 109 energy efficiency measures have been installed in homes in Solihull under the Green Homes Grant scheme. Of these only 56 were for low income households.
But now the Council has revamped the scheme offering residents living in properties with a low Energy Performance Rating (EPC) up to £10,000 to make their homes more energy efficient.
The Solihull Green Homes scheme and Warm Home Scheme would give households with an income of less than £30,000 before tax or in certain areas of the borough a cash boost to install solar panels, wall insulation and smart heating controls to reduce fuel bills.
Councillor Andy Mackiewicz, cabinet member for climate change, planning and housing, said: “I’m delighted that we’re once again working with our trusted partner Act on Energy to offer eligible residents access to a range of energy efficiency improvements.
“The council’s Net Zero Action Plan emphasises the importance of reducing heat loss from homes if we are to reach our target of becoming a net-zero borough by 2041.
“Retrofitting homes involves installing a range of energy efficiency measures such as double glazing and insulation.
“It’s a crucial part of the puzzle in achieving our goal, given that 27 per cent of total CO2 emissions in Solihull are associated with the energy used to heat and power domestic buildings.”
For more visit https://www.solihull.gov.uk/Housing/Solihull-green-homes-grant or call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.
