Nottingham Energy Partnership together with Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire and Energy Company E.ON have joined forces to launch the £4.3m Warm Homes Hub. Supported by Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council, the Hub is not only connecting Nottinghamshire homes to gas and installing central heating systems for free, but also it is supporting thousands of residents struggling with their health, heating, household income and energy costs as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.
Over the next two years, through the Hub, eligible homeowners and tenants will be able to improve the warmth and comfort of their home and benefit from:
- • free gas connection
- • free 1st time central heating
- • free cavity wall/loft insulation
As well as improving the energy efficiency of the homes, the switch to gas heating can see significant improvements in health, as it reduces the risk of cold related illnesses and decreases the chances of damp and mould. Even better, this offer will save residents up to £5,000 on the install costs and create further savings on energy bills.
Ms P is one of the first Nottinghamshire residents who will soon receive a brand-new central heating system. To heat her home, she previously relied on electric panel heaters, but as they are very expensive to run, Ms P had to keep their use to a minimum. Thanks to the Warm Homes Hub, Ms P will soon be connected to the gas network and will have a new central heating system installed. Gas is generally 3 to 4 times cheaper than electricity, so Ms P will also save up to £350 on her annual heating bill.
Ms P says,
“My [electric] heating system is one of the most expensive kinds, so I’m excited to have gas central heating installed”.
We encourage Nottingham City & Nottinghamshire residents to register their interest to be the one of the first in line to get the measures installed.
Nigel Dewbery, Director of E.ON’s Obligation Delivery and Installation Services business, said of the scheme:
“We’re really pleased to be working with Nottinghamshire County Council to help people across the County to improve the heating of their homes.”
To further improve the energy efficiency of Nottingham City & Nottinghamshire homes, eligible residents can also benefit from free cavity wall & loft insulation, and see additional savings on their energy bills.
For those struggling with broken or faulty heating, who already have central heating systems in their property, the Hub also offers grants towards heating replacements and repairs for residents who may not be able to get the issue resolved. The short-term loan of heaters is available too.
The Hub also offers a range of additional support such as:
- • fuel and water bill discounts
- • food and prescription collections
- • foodbank and fuel vouchers
This is offered alongside advice to improve the energy efficiency of homes, reduce unnecessary energy consumption, and reduce bill costs. As the lockdown eases, the Hub will also offer Home Energy Visits to more vulnerable residents who could benefit from practical and tailored energy advice to make sure their homes are kept warm and comfortable. Furthermore, to ease concerns for the households possibly facing unemployment due to the crisis, professional help is available to complete benefit checks and other applications for hardship funds or one-off crisis grants towards essential living expenses such as food and bills.
“The Warm Homes Hub team can bring some comfort during this period of isolation and worry by providing a range of services to support people, particularly those that have to self-isolate, who are living on their own and/or on a low income. We want to reach out to as many households as possible.”
Says Miranda Cumberbatch, NEP Warm Homes Hub Manager.
Ms P has also received financial support from the Warm Homes Hub. She said
“I got into debt with everything and I really didn’t know where to turn….thank you [Warm Homes Hub team]”.
Ms P has also experienced an improvement in her wellbeing thanks to the support she has received; she told us
“I suffer from anxiety, and I feel a weight has been lifted off me”.
The Warm Homes Hub project is funded by the £150m Warm Homes Fund, which has been established by National Grid, and is administered by the Community Investment Company, Affordable Warmth Solutions, to support local authorities to address some of the issues affecting fuel poor households. Jeremy Nesbitt, Managing Director of Affordable Warmth Solutions, said:
“We are excited about this investment from National Grid and are delighted to support Nottinghamshire County Council to fund the scheme to address fuel poverty across the county.”
To register your interest for 1st time central heating, visit www.warmhomeshub.com/apply or call the team directly on 0115 985 3000 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm).
For our additional support services, call the team directly on 0115 985 3000 (Mon – Fri, 9am – 5.30pm) or visit www.warmhomeshub.com/covid19 to find out more.
Find out more about the Warm Homes Hub scheme on www.warmhomeshub.com