Energy - efficiency advice and assessment
ListenEnergy used in homes is responsible for over a quarter of all UK emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas causing climate change. Making your home as energy efficient as possible will improve your comfort, save you money and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
Advice
For advice on improving the energy efficiency of your home contact the Council’s Sustainable Energy Officer on 01344 352536. Presentations are available on request for local organisations and schools.
Home energy monitors
Home energy monitors are available on loan for three weeks from all Bracknell Forest libraries. The monitor clips on to the electricity supply cable by your meter and shows your electricity consumption, cost, or greenhouse gas emissions on a wireless portable display inside the house. The monitor shows how your consumption changes when you switch appliances on or off and the effect of appliances left on standby.
Energy efficiency grants and discounts
Home Insulation
Loft and cavity wall insulation is subsidised by the large energy companies under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) scheme.
Residents should ensure that any contractors offering loft or cavity wall insulation are doing so under the CERT scheme. The typical cost for a three bedroom house should be £149 for cavity wall insulation and £169 for loft insulation (270 mm top up). Anyone over 70 is entitled to have their loft and cavity wall insulation free of charge. Details can be found on your fuel bills.
Double glazing
There are no grants available for double glazing.
Warm Front Grants
The Warm Front Scheme installs insulation and heating measures up to the value of £3,500 or £6,000 where oil central heating or alternative low carbon technologies are recommended. Warm Front is only available to home owners on certain disability or income related benefits.
If you are 60 or over, own or privately rent your home and do not qualify for a Warm Front grant, you may be eligible for a £300 rebate. This rebate is towards replacing or repairing an inoperable system or installing new central heating if your property doesn’t have any.
Winter Fuel Payment
You may be entitled to a Winter Fuel Payment if you have reached the qualifying age.
Cold Weather Payment
Cold Weather Payments of £25 per week are paid to pensioners on pension credit, families with children under five on income-related benefit and disabled adults and children when the average temperature is below zero degrees Celsius for seven consecutive days.
Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Scheme
In 2010 the Government introduced a system of Feed-in Tariffs to encourage people to invest in renewable electricity technologies. Bracknell Forest Council is working with the Green Energy Doctor to help residents to take advantage of the opportunity to generate their own solar electricity and benefit from the tariff, which is expected to reduce in April 2012.
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