Residents who are vulnerable to the effects of cold houses or who cannot afford to heat their homes can apply for financial help to cut their energy bills and reduce carbon emissions.

Teignbridge District Council is highlighting the recently announced national funding that could be available to help occupants reduce their heating costs and stay warm.

Executive Member for Communities and Housing, Cllr Martin Wrigley encouraged people living in cold homes to check out the national offer to see if they were entitled to support.

He said: “According to national fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action almost 4,000 households in Newton Abbot Parliamentary constituency are living in fuel poverty and this funding could make a big difference.

”The funding is available to a wider range of people than previous schemes and will be available until 2026 so please have a look and apply if you are eligible.” 

The national funding – called ECO4 Flex - is designed to enable a range of energy saving measures to be installed including new heating systems, air source heat pumps, loft and cavity wall installation, solid wall insulation, high heat retention storage heaters, and other measures designed primarily to increase energy efficiency.

Tenants or owner occupiers can benefit from this scheme and may qualify in a number of ways such as living in a property having been assessed for a D-G Energy Performance Certificate rating and having an income less than £31,000. (check website for qualifying criteria)

To get the energy saving work done, residents must use an approved registered ECO installers who will survey their home, identify the cost-effective energy saving steps that could be taken and provide a price for the work that could be carried out.

Funding will be provided directly to the installer from energy suppliers involved in the national scheme and not via Teignbridge District Council.