With the recent prolonged heatwaves and torrential winter rainstorms causing local flooding, plus the catastrophic global fires and floods, we are all beginning to acknowledge the climate is changing and we are going to have to adapt to survive.
Whilst large scale changes are needed across nations and regions, what can we do for our own homes?
There is a growing body of information to help us, starting with effective, yet simple benefits such as draftproofing, proper ventilation, good insulation, window blinds, fans and so on, moving to double glazing, boiler upgrades, solar panels, aircon etc.
Whether you are a home owner, live in rented accommodation or are a landlord, there are energy improvement grants available, though these are often confusingly-named, time-limited and complex. Up to £5,000 per property to install low energy systems may be available through the Camden Eco Grant (check by emailing: hrgrant@camden.gov.uk) and for those on low incomes, up to £8,000 towards any of the aforementioned upgrades (Warm Homes Grant) and for those on very low incomes, free upgrades (Warm Home: Local Grants); www.camden.gov.uk/energy-efficiency-grants.
Boiler upgrade scheme – up to £7,500 available to households when your boiler needs replacement to change to an air-source or ground-source heat pump (or £5,000 towards a biomass boiler). The MSC certified installer will apply for you. Retrofit Kentish Town is helping spread the word on what we can do with our homes and Camden Climate Alliance / WAC will be holding a rearranged event looking at solar panels on Sept 2 6:30pm at Hampstead Old Town Hall (booking: climatealliance@camden.gov.uk).
Of course, whatever changes we make to our buildings, we need to remember most members of BelSoc live in a conservation area and need to be aware of what is permissible. Our website tries to remain a useful first step.
There is also a local Camden Climate Fund for local groups to deliver community-wide green energy projects but applications close on September 30 – too late for BelSoc but maybe we can look at ‘at-scale’ projects in future?
Warm Home Plan Loans
Owners and landlords making energy efficiency improvements to their homes will be offered subsidies on the bank loans they take out, under a UK government scheme announced recently during London Climate Week. The scheme is designed to improve affordability for those looking to install heat pumps, solar panels, storage batteries, domestic wind turbines or micro-hydro power. The government plans to lower loan interest rates significantly, in some cases to zero. The aim is to encourage more households to take up green home technology and, in a cost of living crisis, cut their energy bills. Many households that want to make such changes cannot afford the upfront investment that can take years to recoup through lower bills. The loans will be available to any borrower who meets bank affordability assessment and fraud checks, along with certain technical criteria and the scheme can be used alongside other green energy grants. The aim is for applications to be simpler than the previous complex ‘Green Deal’ and ‘Green Homes Grantʼ. Many lenders are looking to participate and loans should be available from early next year.
