One of the most common things my team encounters when doing a domestic EPC assessment is that people think the work to improve energy efficiency will be unaffordable. Or to put it more bluntly,

“It’s all very well suggesting home improvements, but where do you think we’re going to find the money for that?”

The good news is, though: in many cases, there’s free money available to do it. More surprisingly still – it’s money we’ve already paid out!

For example, take a look at a source of funding called CERT funding, which has been running since April 2008.

Energy suppliers – the ones we paid our bills to all these years – have been obliged by the Government to stockpile cash to help us fix our homes and save on our energy bills along the way. This is because they’re all committed to a Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, which is where the initials CERT come from.

Who is eligible for a grant under CERT? Almost anyone. All you need is a home that’s heated by gas, electricity, coal, oil or LPG. That doesn’t rule out many homes we’ve assessed.

To be even more eligible, if you’re in receipt of certain state benefits or if you’re over 70, you’ll be in the Priority Group. This means you’re more likely to get 100% of the funding for your efficiency-boosting home improvement.

CERT money could pay for some of the best energy-saving home improvements you could make. For example: cavity wall insulation, which is one of the most overlooked home improvements, could be installed on a grant and it will cut your heating bills year on year.

Imagine that: money to do the work, and money off your bills in the future.  You can see why this grant stuff is worth paying attention to.  (Read more about how to get a CERT-funded home improvement).

What about Social Housing providers – borough councils, city councils, social landlords and housing associations?  You can also get access to CERT funding to improve your tenants’ properties. A good starting point would be to read the National Housing Federation’s leaflet on how to get grant funding (view the PDF here).

British Gas also works with a direct funding agency to help you apply for the money – and you don’t even need to be a B.G. customer (you’re helping them meet their target, remember!)

Will your tenants remember to thank you for reducing their bills, though? That’s one thing I can’t promise!

P.S.

CERT isn’t the only programme – there’s also CESP (the Community Energy Saving Programme), and Warm Front, and the grant landscape does change from time to time. We’ll talk about those in another mention, and we’ll keep you updated on changes (especially if you follow me on Twitter).