Help with making your home more energy efficient

Residents in Blaby district have got the chance to make their homes more energy efficient thanks to a new government scheme.

The Green Deal allows people to make energy-saving improvements to their home or business without having to pay all the costs up front.

This can include loft or cavity wall insulation, heating, draught-proofing, double glazing, solar panels and wind turbines.

At present 100 residents living in the district can benefit from a free Green Deal assessment through Blaby District Council.

The Green Deal process is as follows:

• Assessment – a qualified Green Deal assessor will come to your property and discuss what energy saving measures you can have
• Recommendations – the assessor will recommend how to improve energy efficiency in your property and the costs and benefits of these
• Quotes – if you decide you want any improvements you can get quotes from Green Deal providers, once you have picked a provider they will draw up a Green Deal plan, which will cover the work to be done and the payments for this work
• Installation – your provider will arrange for your chosen measures to be installed

A number of energy-saving measures have been fitted into a Three Oaks Homes property to show how the process works and the benefits to the house.

Floor insulation, loft insulation top up, pipe lagging, triple glazing and cavity wall insulation have all been fitted and in a few months the tenant will be reporting back what effect these changes have had.

Councillor Maggie Wright, portfolio holder for Community Services at Blaby District Council, said:

“The Green Deal scheme is an opportunity for residents to improve the energy efficiency of their homes without the huge price tag. Now is probably a good time to look at options and advice available before the colder, winter months set in.”

For more information on how the Green Deal works and to organise a free assessment contact the Warms homes Officer at Blaby District Council on 0116 272 7536 or email housing.options@blaby.gov.uk