SOUTHEND residents could benefit from warmer homes, lower carbon emissions and cheaper fuel bills this winter under a new scheme. 

Under the Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery scheme, householders can apply to receive improvements to increase the comfort and warmth in their home. 

The scheme offers a wide range of insulation measures and renewable heating technologies which are designed to support homes to reduce their impact on the environment, including air source, ground source, and hybrid heat pumps.

Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, travel, tourism and planning, said: “As winter begins to take hold and we depend on our heating systems more, the Green Homes Grant scheme offers vital improvements that could see many people across Southend who are on a low income and finding it hard to heat their home benefit from measures that could see them being warmer, reduce their bills, and decrease their home’s impact on the environment – creating a greener future.

“I’d encourage everyone to check if they are eligible to receive help from the Green Homes Grant scheme.”

The scheme is open to homeowners, private tenants and people in social rented accommodation, where the home has a low energy rating and a low annual income.

The scheme is being delivered by Warmworks on behalf of Southend Council and through funding from the government. 

Warmworks will arrange a survey in the homes of eligible householders to agree the work that will be carried out. 

An accredited and registered sub-contractor team then completes the installation of the agreed heating and energy-efficiency measures, before an independent inspection assesses the completed work against rigorous quality standards. 

Where required, Warmworks will also arrange for a full annual service to be completed 12 months later.

Jo Gay, head of climate change at the council, added: “Not only do the funded energy efficiency measures give Southend residents an opportunity to reduce their carbon emissions and support the transition to Net Zero.

“But as the colder weather hits, one of the most important benefits the scheme provides is to help people feel warmer, healthier and happier in their homes during these winter months.”