Yesterday saw the launch of a new government scheme to encourage the take-up of renewable heating systems in social housing across the UK. The £3 million initiative, overseen by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), aims to help such households reduce their energy costs. Under the scheme registered providers of social housing like local authorities and housing associations can apply for grants to supply eco-friendly heating in tenants’ homes.
Applicants can bid for up to £175,000 each, with equipment including biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps viable forms of funded heating technology. Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “In the face of rising gas and electricity bills, the Premium Payment scheme is a valuable way for people to get involved in energy generation at a local level, insulating them from volatile fossil fuel costs and ensuring that homes are heated in a greener, more sustainable way.”