Families helped to save energy and cut £600 off bills as council wins funding to transform homes
With families battling the rising cost of living and a climate emergency, additional funding has been secured to raise the energy efficiency of over 60 homes, saving up to £600 a year on energy bills.
Funding has been secured from the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund which is awarded by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. It will see 66 of the council’s least energy efficient homes have a range of measures installed, including improved ventilation, loft insulation, cavity and external wall insulation, solar panels and battery storage.
The council is committed to finding sustainable solutions to the climate emergency and working toward a carbon neutral future that protects and enhances our environment.
By actively seeking external sources of additional funding like this, the council will be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Kingston and help the ambitious goal of the borough becoming carbon neutral by 2038.
These improvements are estimated to save each household around 40,149.60 kWh of energy each year. That’s enough to have 4014 six minute showers or use an oven for 20,074 hours.
Councillor Ian Manders, Portfolio Holder for Climate Action and Sustainable Transport said:
“Improving the energy efficiency of council homes will help residents reduce their energy bills not only this year, but every year going forward.
“Changes to the council housing finance rules by the Government has made it impossible for councils to invest the amount of money required to cover all our council properties - so we are now dependent on Government funding to make the necessary improvements to the energy efficiency of housing.
“This funding will start the ball rolling on tackling the energy cost part of the cost of living crisis for these residents while helping to tackle climate change.”
If you are looking for help to reduce your energy bills, visit our Cost of Living webpages. You can also visit the Government’s website to find out about energy efficiency measures that would be suitable for your property.