Delivering extra insulation through the Green Homes Grant scheme

When Abbots Langley resident Leslie Clark moved into his new home 60 years ago it was heated by just one hot water tank in the kitchen, one radiator, and a coal fire. 

Today – thanks to a new Green Homes Grant scheme offered by Watford Community Housing, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council – Leslie’s house has been fitted with external wall insulation, free of charge, which could save him around £225 per year on heating bills. Not only that, but it will also reduce domestic carbon emissions by approximately 930kg CO2 per year, making the property more environmentally friendly. 

Leslie, 88, said: “Now I am getting older I do feel the cold. Rather than putting a blanket over me, I’ll have a warmer house. The outside wall in the winter was like a block of ice before – now it will be much cosier.”

Leslie is among many local residents to benefit from the free installation of external wall insulation, which has been designed to conserve heat for the occupant and reduce negative environmental emissions.  

The Green Homes Grant scheme, which aims to help the country become carbon neutral by 2050, is helping households save money on energy bills, stay warm in winter, cool in summer, and reducing their carbon footprints.  

Residents can apply for this funding if they have a combined household income of less than £30,000 per year and live in a property with a low energy-efficiency rating (G, F, E or D rating).

Tina Barnard, Watford Community Housing’s Chief Executive, said: “We’re so pleased to be able to provide these upgrades for residents such as Leslie, especially at a time when many families will be struggling financially due to the pandemic. This insulation not only saves the residents a significant sum of money on their bills but also has the added benefit of making these properties more environmentally friendly, so we're proud to work closely with our local authority partners to make this possible.”