New scheme to help Leicestershire residents reduce energy bills and install energy-efficient measures

Leicestershire County Council’s Warm Homes service, in partnership with district authorities, has been awarded £400,000 by the government to support the HERO project (Home Energy Retrofit Offer).

The HERO project targets owner-occupiers who are vulnerable and on low incomes who may be eligible for funded grants, those at risk of ill health due to cold, inefficient, or damp homes, and residents living in properties which are hard-to-treat.

Eligible residents may be offered in-home advice or assessment of their homes, which will determine which energy-efficient measures are most appropriate to the home and household.

Last year, the Warm Homes service supported Charnwood resident Laura through the Green Living Leicestershire Home Energy Grant to receive fully-funded loft and cavity wall insulation.

She said: “I was struggling to afford to heat my home. I applied for the scheme and qualified for cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Without the scheme, I would not have been able to afford the work at all.

“The installation process was very quick and easy, and I am very pleased with the results. I have noticed that I have needed my heating on less since having the work done, and my home feels warmer too.”

The scheme will not fund the retrofit of the recommended energy-saving measures, but HERO advisors will help and support residents to access all available funding and apply for relevant grants. Where relevant, the scheme my also reassess eligible homes to measure the impact of improvements and contact households to gather feedback.

Councillor Louise Richardson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "The Home Energy Retrofit Offer is another valuable scheme which will help residents with the cost of living by offering help and advice about the most suitable energy efficient measures to help cut their fuel bills, and access to grant funding to install those measures.

"It will also help to reduce carbon emissions, as well as protecting people from the health risks associated with cold and damp homes.

"I would urge all Leicestershire residents who think they might be eligible to visit the website and register their interest for the HERO scheme.

For more information on the grants, including the full eligibility criteria, eligible postcode areas or to apply, visit the HERO website or call the Warm Homes service on 0116 305 2524.