A scheme providing homeowners with vouchers of up to £5,000 (rising to £10,000 for the poorest households) to contribute to the cost of improving insulation levels or installing a low-carbon heating system (a heat pump or solar thermal panels), to existing homes, is set to launch in September. (Gas boilers are a notable omission from the eligible improvements.) It may be possible for households to also apply for secondary energy-saving measures such double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing, upgrading to energy efficient doors, and heating controls.
This 1960s house previously had an ineffective heating and plumbing system. A retrofit scheme and major overhaul, designed by Paul Testa, has not only seen the footprint increase but insulation and efficient double glazing added and airtightness improved. For more on this project see page 83.
IMAGE: JEREMY PHILLIPS
There are strict accreditation rules for tradespeople involved in the scheme. They must be from a TrustMark Registered Business, which the government says will give households confidence that improvements to their homes will be of a high quality.