Greener housing
Energy saving at a local level
Rising energy costs mean there is an even greater incentive to save energy, to reduce emissions and to prevent households falling into fuel poverty.
The increasing demands we make on the Earth’s resources have led to global climate change. The council takes its role in working towards a sustainable future very seriously. We believe much can be done at a local level to combat global climate change.
Saving energy around the home
Reducing your energy consumption helps to cut down your carbon emissions and your bills. The Energy Saving Trust provides indepth information on the options for saving energy and making your home more efficient and cheaper to keep warm. Contact them for advice on grants and discounts.
Advice and information is also available from Simple Energy Advice a government endorsed website that aims to help you reduce bills and improve your home.
Energy saving schemes
- Green Doctors visits
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The Green Doctors home energy scheme is delivered by the environmental charity Groundwork London in partnership with the council. This free service gives health and financial advice to some of Kensington and Chelsea's most vulnerable households, particularly:
- young families
- elderly residents
- those with multiple health conditions
The visits provide guidance on efficient energy usage in the home, understanding heating systems and installation of small energy measures. These early interventions can reduce the effects of cold homes on your health and enable local residents to feel more connected to the community.
Your free visit will offer:
- energy efficiency advice on energy saving and switching tariffs and support with utility bills
- free Installation of energy efficiency measures such as energy efficient light bulbs, draught-proofing, radiator panels, energy monitors and water saving measures
- income and financial support
- help with claiming benefits related to energy costs: the Warm Home Discount/Priority Services Register
- debt advice
- help with social isolation
- Kensington and Chelsea Healthier Homes Schemes referral: where possible, residents will be referred for home improvements such as insulation and boiler upgrades
Eligibility
Any vulnerable Kensington and Chelsea resident can benefit if you are:
- young people aged 16 to 25 on a low income
- young parents aged under 35 on low income
- young families on a low income with children aged under 14, or pregnant
- elderly people aged over 65
- suffer from respiratory diseases and/or cardiovascular disease
- severe mental illness or dementia
- multiple health issues
Making a referral
Referrals are made directly to Groundwork London, which is delivering the home energy visits on behalf of the council.
If you would like a free visit or would like to refer someone else, you can complete Groundwork’s Home Energy Visit form or telephone 0300 365 5003.
Grants
- Keep Warm grant
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A home owner or tenant of a property may apply for a grant up to a maximum of £7,500 per dwelling. This grant is intended to provide a decent level of warmth in the home and improve its overall energy efficiency (known as a “SAP rating”). Works will typically include the installation of a more efficient central heating system and, where possible, insulation works.
If you or someone you know could benefit from a grant or for further information please telephone the Grants team on 020 7361 3002 or email [email protected].
Energy performance certificates (EPC)
All homes bought, sold or rented require an energy performance certificate. An energy performance certificate gives information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
If you are entering a new tenancy, a copy of the certificate should be provided by your landlord.
For more information, visit the Gov.uk pages on energy performance certificates. You can also find the EPC for your property.
Tenants
Minimum energy efficiency standards
For tenancies granted after 2008, check that your landlord provided you with an energy performance certificate when the tenancy was granted. If the property is F or G rated, the landlord is no longer legally allowed to rent out the property unless they have applied for an exemption. They will need to carry out works to raise the energy efficiency to at least an E rating.
If the property you are renting is poorly insulated, has inadequate heating and is expensive to keep warm it may fall below housing health and safety rating system (HHSRS) standards. You can find more information on this and what we can do to help you on our Disrepair page.
Help with fuel bills
Check your tariff. Check with your own supplier to see if they can offer you a cheaper tariff and look at price comparison sites for alternative tariffs.
If you are at risk of fuel debt there are a number of organisations that may be able to help.
Nucleus Advice
Offer a range of support for fuel debt. Contact their advice line, telephone 020 3737 9200 or self referral to Nucleus LAC.
Kensington and Chelsea Citizens Advice
Contact:
- visit www.citizensadvicekc.org.uk
- telephone 0808 278 7982
Worlds End Neighbourhood Advice Centre
Contact:
- telephone 020 7351 5749
- email [email protected]
Age UK Kensington and Chelsea
Contact:
- telephone 020 8969 9105
- email [email protected]
Winter Warmth Fund
Help with the cost of winter fuel costs for residents of Kensington and Chelsea in financial hardship. Contact one of the referral partners above to access the scheme.
National support schemes
You may also qualify for further support towards your energy bills, if you meet certain eligibility criteria.
Winter fuel payment
A £200 to £300 fuel payment. This is no longer a universal credit. You will qualify if you were:
- born before 23 September 1958
- living in the UK during the 'qualifying week' 16 to 22 September 2024
- entitled to get Pension Credit or certain other means -tested benefits during the qualifying week
If you are no longer eligible and risk being in financial hardship contact the Winter Warmth Fund, details above, for advice and assistance.
Cold weather payment
A £25 payment for every seven days of very cold weather between November and March.
Warm Home discount
A £140 discount for some people getting Pension Credit or some people in low-income households.
Frequently asked questions
My energy provider has failed, what should I do?
Your gas and electricity will continue to be provided and Ofgem have a system in place to reassign you to a new supplier. Take meter readings if possible. Do not attempt to switch until this transfer is complete. You will be put onto a 'deemed' tariff which may not be the cheapest so as a starting point ask your new supplier to put you onto their cheapest tariff. After this you are free to shop around and move to a new supplier without incurring exit fees.
Ofgem have a useful guide to How you're protected when energy firms collapse.
Contact us
If you have any queries, please contact the Environmental Healthline.
Your call is important to us, we aim to have one of our officers contact you within 24 hours.
- telephone 020 7361 3002
- email [email protected]