Free energy efficiency measures such as loft and cavity wall insulation may be available free to people living in poorly insulated homes in Sefton thanks to a new scheme being introduced by the Council.

The retrofit scheme will make homes cheaper to heat, more energy efficient and better for the planet. It will also help keep properties warmer in winter and cooler in summer.

Grants are available to privately-owned properties with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G. To qualify, Sefton residents must have a household income below £30,000 and/or receive a qualifying benefit.

If the home is owned by a private or social landlord, the landlord will need to contribute to the cost of the works, but the property could still be eligible for some of the cost to be covered by the scheme.

People can check if they are eligible for the Cheaper, Warmer, Greener Retrofit Scheme, using the form at https://forms.sefton.gov.uk/greenhomesform

Cllr Paulette Lappin, Cabinet Member for Regulatory, Compliance and Corporate Services said:

“This scheme is a fantastic opportunity for households in Sefton to get free energy efficiency measures to make their homes cheaper to run, warmer in winter and greener for the planet. Plus, there are huge benefits to physical and financial health.

“The Council is working to make Sefton net zero carbon by 2030 in response to the climate emergency. We are working on our own emissions and taking advantage of this scheme will help our residents to join us in making this a Borough-wide initiative by cutting their own domestic emissions.

“I would urge anyone who meets the eligibility criteria to apply for this retrofit scheme. It’s open to homeowners and tenants, it’s free and there are benefits for us all.”

The funding has come from The Department of Business Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) as part of the Government’s post COVID-19 response and Climate Change targets.

People can find out more at www.sefton.gov.uk/retrofit

The energy companies were providing the same service free nearly 20 years ago at the behest of then Chancellor Gordon Brown, who threatened them with a windfall tax if they didn't offer customers the opportunity to take up the offer.

Brown, like so many Scots, didn't like spending his "own money" if someone else would pay for it.....!

The Borough will have to do more than just insulate, if it is to become 'net zero' by 2030.....Domestic gas usage will have to end, as it's a fossil-fuel responsible for adding CO2 to the atmosphere. The sooner residents are all converted to #renewable heatsource/s, the better!

N.B. We'll never get to carbon neutrality either, whilst people continue to drive fossil-fuelled cars. These tin dinosaurs will have to go, or we will fail in our goal of zero carbon by end of the decade!

Originally Posted by The PNP

The Borough will have to do more than just insulate, if it is to become 'net zero' by 2030.....Domestic gas usage will have to end, as it's a fossil-fuel responsible for adding CO2 to the atmosphere. The sooner residents are all converted to #renewable heatsource/s, the better!

N.B. We'll never get to carbon neutrality either, whilst people continue to drive fossil-fuelled cars. These tin dinosaurs will have to go, or we will fail in our goal of zero carbon by end of the decade!

Neither will we get to carbon neutrality while you are pedalling your smoky wood burners, and using your fossil fuelled vehicles to deliver them, not to mention your smoky old motor home that you pollute us all with.