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Unlocking warmer, greener homes for low carbon communities
Posted on: 15 April 2025
Fifty householders in Tewkesbury Borough are now benefiting from warmer, greener homes thanks to a multi-partnership approach with Severn Wye Energy Agency. The partnership benefitted from £60,000-worth of the council’s awarded share of UK Government’s Levelling Up fund.
The partnership between Severn Wye, Tewkesbury Borough Council and Stroud District Council began in Autumn 2023. Households across the two areas were encouraged to come forward to receive free energy surveys of their homes and bespoke energy efficiency report and action plan. Follow-up support and help was given to assess installer quotes were also provided to households.
Further support is available through home energy retrofit specialists Furbnow, who are offering a fifty per cent discount on their home improvement survey to the first 100 Gloucestershire residents.
Simon Dix, Executive Director for Resources and S151 said: “This has been a very successful partnership and together with Severn Wye Energy Agency, we’ve helped a community of households to install energy efficiency measures. This will not only help with their heating and comfort level but also importantly, help them to save money on energy costs.
“I’m also delighted that further assistance is available from home energy retrofit specialists Furbnow, and I encourage anyone interested to contact them.”
Throughout the project, the team explored factors that could help people engage with domestic retrofit to lower their carbon emissions. Findings from the partnership report found that householders valued the community support of the project and as a result of having a deeper understanding of energy efficiency retrofit were empowered to make more informed decisions for considerations such as installer quotations.
Typical of the feedback received, one resident commented: “The report was extremely useful; it went into every aspect of energy saving, also considered unintended consequences such as damp and mould. I’m very glad we had it done.”
Allison Cawley, Director of Energy Services for Severn Wye Energy, commented: “We’re delighted to complete this project successfully, with 50 surveys carried out across all types of property in Tewkesbury, each report and set of recommendations being unique to that home, and a further 75 surveys in Stroud.
“Having an independent survey is the first step to learning how your home uses energy – and it always starts with how your home is built, insulated and maintained before looking at detail such as heating and ventilation systems. And, of course, by changing behaviours, there are many low- and no-cost ways to save money and carbon emissions, before installing new measures to become more energy efficient.”
“Looking ahead, we’re launching the government’s Warm Homes Local Grant programme across Gloucestershire this month, working with local authorities to offer eligible households a free, independent survey with fully-funded energy-saving home improvements – more information through our website and Warm and Well telephone adviceline.”
Severn Wye Energy Agency offers residents energy advice and support through the Warm and Well telephone adviceline, and is able to refer residents for a home visit from one of its community-based energy advisers. Severn Wye also delivers a range of grant-funded programmes for energy surveys, installations and retrofit coordination services. The adviceline can be reached by Freephone number 0800 500 3076 or by email warmandwell@severnwye.org.uk.
The council’s climate change report hub now holds case studies of the retrofit works completed on different types of homes along with outline of energy efficiency savings made.
Further information is available on the council Helping residents tackle climate change webpage including details of Furbnow – a One Stop Shop for your home energy efficiency upgrades.
