Milton Keynes City Council is marking Fuel Poverty Awareness Day (Friday 2 December) by encouraging struggling households to apply for free energy efficiency improvements worth up to £25,000.
Eligible households have until 31 December 2022 to apply for funding to make free energy efficiency upgrades to their homes, after the City Council successfully bid for a major government grant to promote the national Sustainable Warmth Programme.
Free improvements that may be covered by the funding include:
insulation to keep homes warm and help cut energy bills;
new low-carbon heating systems with an air-source heat pump;
heating controls or energy efficient hot water solutions;
photovoltaic solar panels to generate free electricity;
energy efficient lighting, which is cheaper to run.
Across MK, households could be eligible if they have an annual income of less than £30,000 and are living in a home with low energy efficiency (determined by the energy performance rating). The City Council is particularly keen to hear from households heated by alternative fuels such as oil heating or only electric heaters.
To find out more or apply, visit www.miltonkeynes-applications.co.uk or call City Energy on 02921 68095. MK City Council declared a ‘cost-of-living emergency’ last month and has allocated more than £18m in support for struggling residents. Its Winter Plan includes extra funding for local initiatives that provide food and domestic essentials along with projects that can offset or reduce energy bills. As part of this, the City Council is funding a free helpline offering advice to residents on how to get support with energy costs.
“With energy bills soaring, our vulnerable residents need all the help they can get. Having these energy efficiency upgrades could make a huge difference for families struggling with their energy costs. I’d strongly encourage anyone who thinks they may be eligible to get in touch now and share this with their family, friends and neighbours.” - Cabinet Member for Climate Action and Sustainability, Cllr Jennifer Wilson-Marklew: