TEIGNBRIDGE households with an income of less than £30,000 a year may be eligible for free energy efficiency improvements to their home worth thousands of pounds.

From this week members of the public can check their eligibility and apply through the Cosy Devon website – https://www.cosydevon.com

The scheme is being delivered by the Cosy Devon partnership which consists of Devon County Council (DCC), East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon, South Hams, Teignbridge and Torridge District Councils, Torbay Council, West Devon Borough Council, Exeter City Council and Plymouth City Council.

It follows the partnership securing nearly £10m of government funding. The scheme will offer householders the chance to improve their homes by ensuring that they are warmer, less draughty, and less damp.

Improvements will also reduce their energy bills and lower their home’s carbon emissions.  

More than 20 per cent per cent of Devon’s carbon emissions are caused by homes.

Devon has higher levels of fuel poverty (13%) than the UK (10.6%).  Many homes in Devon need substantial investment and the Cosy Devon partnership is committed to reducing Devon’s domestic carbon footprint and lifting communities out of fuel poverty.

Teignbridge Executive Member for Climate Change, Cllr Jackie Hook, urged local people to check the Cosy Devon website and if eligible take advantage of the funding on offer.

‘This provides an opportunity for those struggling most with heating bills, living in homes with an Energy Performance Certificate Rating of E, F or G to make their homes more energy efficient , cutting their energy bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions and so helping to reduce the damaging effects of climate change.’

The scheme is available to Devon residents who have an annual combined household income of less than £30,000.

If you are a homeowner, and live in that property, you can access funding to cover 100 per cent of costs to retrofit your home up to a cap.

Tenants of rented properties can also apply for grants up to a cap with the landlord expected to contribute at least one third towards the cost of the work.

Upgrades could include underfloor and solid floor insulation; insulation to cavity, external and internal walls, and lofts; double glazing, draught proofing, ventilation solar panels and heat pumps.

If you qualify, your home will have to be assessed to determine which energy efficiency measures could be installed. The initiative has a quality assurance plan in place to make sure that works are done correctly and deliver the benefits and savings expected.

The options will then be discussed with you before a final decision is reached.