Hampshire homes receive energy efficiency funding

Soft loans that are paid back at the rate at which they save money are now on offer to some Hampshire householders interested in improving the energy efficiency of their homes.


Designated eco-town Whitehill Bordon has been selected as one of the communities to benefit under the Government-funded Low Carbon Communities Challenge.

The local authority, East Hampshire District Council applied for DECC funding and has now been offered up to £500,000 to make the loans available.

The loans will follow a similar model to those offered by the Carbon Trust to businesses wanting to cut energy bills by investing in more efficient equipment.

Cash will be made available up front for retrofitting of energy efficiency measures such as insulation and then paid back at the same rate as money is saved from the energy bills, meaning householders will never be out of pocket and will save money in the long-run.

Each household can apply of interest-free loans of up to £10,000.

Cllr Andrew Joy, Portfolio Holder for Whitehill Bordon, said: “It is fantastic that we are now part of this challenge.

“This will ensure that existing residents and new residents will both be able to save money on their fuel bills as well as reducing their carbon emissions.

“This is the start of a progressive plan to give all current residents the option to retrofit their homes.”

Energy and Climate Change Minister Joan Ruddock said: “The huge enthusiasm for the Low Carbon Communities Challenge demonstrates that local people are passionate about building a low carbon future in the UK.

“Today’s winners will act as a test bed for green action, and show us all what a greener future looks like.

“This sort of action is vital because over a quarter of the UK ‘s greenhouse gas emissions come from heating, lighting and powering electrical appliances in our homes.

“By 2050 this needs to be almost zero and we can only achieve that through the creative initiative of local communities.”

Sam Bond

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