Somerset Council has secured funds from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’ scheme to help homeowners and private rental residents across Somerset to save money on energy bills by retrofitting their homes.
Retrofitting refers to any improvement work on an existing building to improve its energy efficiency, making them easier to heat, able to retain that heat for longer, and replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.
Somerset Council has secured an additional £1 million in funding to support the retrofitting initiative. This funding supplements the approximately £6 million already allocated for distribution by the council over a 3-year period, from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2028.
Types of measures that can be installed using the grant are:
- Floor insulation
- Wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Door and window replacements
- Ventilation
- Solar panels
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Storage Heaters
The grants are means-tested, and residents can check if they are eligible and apply by visiting the Council’s Retrofit and energy efficiency page.
The Council’s delivery partner, the Centre for Sustainable Energy, recently received some feedback from a Somerset resident who has benefitted from the scheme.
The resident said:
I wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to you […] for your hard work and dedication in sorting out the funds for my boiler replacement.
My daily routine comprised of, boil the kettle, have a wash, boil the kettle to wash up, boil the kettle for any cleaning duties.
This morning, I got up, put the heating on, had a nice hot shower then relaxed in a nice warm room. This has not happened for over 12 months and I’m so grateful.
Councillor Sarah Wakefield, Somerset Council’s Lead Member for Adults Services, Housing and Homelessness said:
I welcome the news that we have been awarded additional funds to help us continue to deliver clean, efficient and more cost-effective energy for Somerset residents.
This investment is vital in ensuring that everyone in our community can benefit from modern, sustainable heating solutions, particularly those who may be struggling with older, inefficient systems.
It is heartening to hear stories like the one shared by a resident, which demonstrate the real difference these improvements make to people’s day-to-day lives.
Our ongoing partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Energy will ensure we can reach even more households and support Somerset’s journey towards a greener future.
In the following video, another ‘Warm Homes: Local Grant’ client talks about the improvements that have been made to their home using the funding:
Find out more, including eligibility criteria and how to apply, by visiting the Council’s Retrofit and energy efficiency page.
