Energy Saving Grants
CERT/CESP Grants for UK
On the 11th September 2008, the UK Government announced a £1bn package (HESP) intended to help UK residents pay for their fuel bills as well as help towards their long term strategy of reducing carbon emissions.
The UK Government established the Energy Saving Trust as an agency to provide advice and insight into energy saving measures.
Under the Home Energy Savings Programme, a number of schemes have been established in the UK.
Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT)
The responsibility for such measures has initially been placed at the doors of the energy distributors through a statutory instrument called CERT (Carbon Energy Reduction Target). This has resulted in a series of initiatives from the suppliers either offering grants for low cost carbon saving measures, or more simply, free energy-saving light bulbs.
CERT has contributed to a massive programme to insulate lofts and cavity walls. A significant proportion of older houses and flats are of solid wall construction, which cannot be insulated in this manner. Such dwellings are labelled "Hard to Treat", due to the costs associated with additional insulation.
Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP)
In September 2009, the Government published a new statutory instrument called CESP. This places an obligation on both energy suppliers and distributors to deliver grant schemes. Such schemes specifically target social landlords and Housing Association properties in the most deprived areas of England and Scotland. They are focussed on delivering multiple carbon energy saving measures such as External wall insulation, improved heating systems and controls.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
ECO will launch in October 2012 and take over from the existing obligations, CERT and CESP (ending in December 2012). The exact details surrounding ECO are yet to be communicated in full.
ECO and the Green Deal will be closely linked. ECO could grant additional funds and subsidies for hard to treat homes unable to realise the Golden Rule. ECO should also make funds available to those who fall below the income threshold for the Green Deal.