Read this advice before you apply for energy improvement funding
Published: Tuesday, 4 June, 2019
Residents who apply for energy improvement funding are urged to check that the company they are dealing with is legitimate.
Stroud District Council has been made aware that householders in the district have received letters from a company claiming to be able to assist them in making applications for funding towards energy improvements to their property. There is a large number of organisations and offers available, most of which are genuine but some are not.
Stroud District Council would encourage all householders interested in energy efficiency improvements to first contact the Council-endorsed Warm and Well Scheme before making any decisions.
“There are a confusing number of organisations and offers available at any one time for energy improvements most of which are genuine however some which are not,” explained Maria Hickman, Stroud District Council’s Housing Renewal Manager.
“If you read an offer that sounds too good to be true, first check it out directly with Stroud District Council’s partner Warm and Well. Exercise a healthy scepticism and always read any documents or forms thoroughly before signing any paperwork,” she added.
The Warm and Well scheme is managed on behalf of a number of local by Severn Wye Energy Agency. It offers energy advice to residents in the district. Last year they helped 160 households to install energy efficiencies and are currently funding free central heating systems to households that rely on plug-in heaters, subject to circumstances.
A Community Energy Champion from the Warm and Well scheme is currently visiting homes in Stroud District to offer energy efficiency advice. Roz Wisniewski always wears ID, writes to residents ahead of any visits and sends them a photograph so that they know who to expect. Always check the ID of anybody visiting your home.
Warm and Well can be called on their freephone number 0800 500 3076 to check which schemes and grant funding opportunities you are eligible for.
“It’s vital that anyone considering using any home improvement company makes their own checks to satisfy themselves that they are happy to enter in to a contract with the organisation,” said Stroud District Council’s Chair of Housing Committee, Councillor Chas Townley.”