Posted on Wednesday 13th September 2023
Mr. and Mrs Leese from Featherstone with their dog Mitch.
More rural households in Staffordshire are set to benefit from a £10.5m boost to help keep them warm, reduce bills and support the environment.
The rollout is part of the Staffordshire Warmer Homes initiative which aims to bring eco-friendly heating solutions to rural residences, aligning with the county's vision of sustainability.
The funding, secured from the second phase of the Government's 'Home Upgrade Grant,' will be managed by Staffordshire County Council on behalf of the district and borough councils.
Since its launch in 2019, the scheme has already benefited more than 900 households by installing over 1,200 thermal efficiency measures. This has resulted in an estimated £1.5m savings for residents.
The new proposals include spending an average of £18,000 per household to install various green heating measures, including air source heat pumps, external and cavity wall insulation, solar panels, and solar batteries.
This new phase of the initiative aims to make a positive impact on rural communities, recognising the unique challenges faced by homes situated away from the gas network. These challenges often include insufficient insulation and difficulty maintaining warmth during cold months.
Julia Jessel, Cabinet Member for Health and Care, at Staffordshire County Council highlighted the initiative's impact, and said: "Eradicating fuel poverty and making sure homes are energy-efficient are top priorities for Staffordshire.
“With a proven track record of saving money for our residents, the secured £10.5 million grant marks a significant step forward in improving insulation and heating in our county. Our approach of aligning government grants with community needs shows our commitment to improving the overall health and well-being of our residents."
Simon Tagg, Cabinet Member for Environment, Infrastructure, and Climate Change at the authority added: "The Staffordshire Warmer Homes programme directly addresses the 23 per cent of carbon emissions created by residential properties in our county.
“By helping homeowners to reduce energy consumption, this initiative becomes an important tool in reducing carbon emissions."
Kevin Leese who previously benefitted from the scheme by getting an Air Source Heat Pump installed in his home said: “Everyone is worried about the cost of living crisis, it impacts everyone, but having the heat pump installed has given me a lot of comfort.”
The scheme is set to launch in Autumn 2023 but is already accepting early applications.
The latest proposals will be discussed by the council’s Cabinet on 20 September. People can read the full proposals by visiting the Staffordshire County Council website.