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Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council

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Energy Efficiency and Climate Change

Home Energy - Why do we need to Save Energy?

Every time we switch on a light or turn up the thermostat, or even cook a meal we use energy. Whatever kind of fuel we use, whether we burn it directly or indirectly when electricity is generated, we are releasing Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere. CO2 is one of the main gases that contribute to global warming, which is now scientifically recognised as a real threat to today's climate. This doesn't just mean warmer summers and milder winters: global climate is responsible for there being more floods, storms and droughts around the world than ever before.

Carbon Dioxide emissions in the UK amount to 263 Million tonnes per year. Over a quarter of the CO2 produced in the UK comes from the fuel we use in our homes. By insulating our homes, controlling the way we use our heating and using other appliances sensibly we can have a major impact on the amount of energy and CO2 used. (And with another quarter of British energy used by motor cars, we can also help reduce the risks from global climate change by avoiding unnecessary car trips, using public transport, cycling or walking whenever possible.)

The average household can cut at least £100 a year off their fuel bills without losing either warmth or comfort by simply using energy efficiently and effectively, and at the same time make a considerable reduction in CO2 emissions. In the last two consecutive years, energy prices have gone up by an average of 10 % to 14 %, and many analysts agree that this trend is likely to be continued for the foreseeable future. This makes energy efficiency more financially rewarding than ever.

An average house loses 40% of its heat through loft spaces and walls. This means that the improving of insulation levels first will provide the largest savings.

Home energy ratings (the Government approved Standard Assessment Procedure, SAP) are most easily increased through improving the heating systems and associated automatic controls.

Savings can also be achieved without any financial outlay, by ways of reducing your own fuel bills through very simple actions such as turning down the thermostat by a degree, closing curtains at night, turning off lights when leaving a room, not leaving appliances such as televisions on standby and so on. There are other ways that you can reduce your reliance on fossil fuels by adopting new technologies for better control or by making use of use of renewable sources of energy.

There are various incentive schemes to help you reduce your carbon dioxide emission while keeping your house warm, through government, council and energy suppliers’ run discount schemes. Below is a list of these schemes, which include 100% grants, assistance in the form of interest free loans and discounted schemes.

You will also find advice and information on the various technologies both high tech and low tech that can help you live in a home with very little or no reliance on fossil fuels.

Grants and Assistance

Home Repair Assistance Scheme

Energy Efficiency Assistance

The Council offers assistance to owner-occupiers and tenants (provided the landlord make the application to the Council) for minor repairs to their dwellings, which include works that will improve the energy efficiency. The assistance may be a grant of up to £1,000 if the works is within this limit.

For works above £1,000 the assistance is in the form of a secured interest-free loan on the property. This assistance provides, up to £5,000, for certain specified works. A fixed administration fee is retained for each successful assistance provided.

Applications will be considered for the following type of works:


(i) Energy Efficiency Assistance

Homeowners, and private tenants, who have lived in the property for at least three years, and are in receipt of relevant Means-tested Benefits.

(ii) Cosy Homes Better Health

Applicants referred to the Council by the local Primary Care Trust, through the Cosy Homes Better Health Scheme. Applicants in this category will be subject to the same financial test of resources applicable to mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants using the household income figures. Applicants will only be considered for assistance where their calculated financial contribution falls below a set figure, currently £500.

(iii) Over 75 Energy Efficiency Assistance

Applicants in this category will be subject to the same national financial test of resources applicable to mandatory Disabled Facilities Grants using the household income figures. Applicants will only be considered for assistance where their calculated financial contribution falls below a set figure, currently £500
For more information on the above schemes and an application form, please contact the Environmental Health Department on 01707 357 406


National Grant Schemes

There are several grant schemes available nationally for people on low income to improve energy efficiency and tackle fuel poverty. These are 100% grants and some are for works up to £5,000


Warm Front

Warm Front is a Government-funded scheme, which provides grants of up to £2,700 to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy-efficient.

Warm Front Grants are for people who are on certain benefits and own their own home or rent it from a private landlord.

If you have received a grant before, you may qualify for extra insulation and heating work, depending on the improvements you originally received.

Warm Front Grant

If you own your home or rent it from a private landlord, may be able to claim a grant of up to £2,700 under Warm Front Scheme.

You can claim if you receive one or more of the following.

Have a child under 16, or are pregnant and have been given a maternity certificate MAT B1, and are also in receipt of one or more of the following benefits:

You can also claim if you are 60 and over and are receiving one or more of the following.


What the Grant Provides

A Warm Front Grant provide energy-efficiency advice, two energy-efficient light bulbs and a package of insulation and heating improvements which are tailored to each property up to a value of £2,700

You could receive a combination of the following.

Further Information/How to Apply

For more information about the scheme, you can call free on 0800 316 2814

Low Carbon Building Programme

The Department of Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reforms (BERR) has launched the Low Carbon Buildings Programme open to householders, public, not for profit and commercial organisations across the UK.  The aims of the programme are to support a more holistic approach to reducing carbon emissions from buildings by demonstrating combinations of both energy efficiency measures and micro generation products, to raise awareness of these low carbon technologies available and to change behaviour of customers to adopt a low carbon footprint lifestyle.


Grants are available towards the cost of the following technologies:

Grants are available to householders, communities, businesses and SMEs, public and charitable organisations.

To be eligible to receive a grant you must use a certified installer and a certified product.

For more information phone 0800 915 0990 or 08704 23 23 23 or visit Low Carbon Buildings

More Information on how to become more efficient is available in this document.

Contact Environmental Health on 01707 357242 or e.health@welhat.gov.uk

This page was last updated on 19 March 2009

Environment