Council Tax rebate for home insulation in new scheme

5.59.20pm UTC (GMT +0000) Sun 12th Aug 2007

A new incentive scheme to reduce domestic carbon emissions is being proposed by Richmond Council and could prove a real money-spinner for residents.

The plan, which is subject to Cabinet approval on September 3, would see the Council and British Gas team up to help residents save energy - and receive a one-off cash rebate. The first 1,000 householders in the borough to install cavity wall or loft insulation under the scheme would receive a £100 rebate on their Council Tax bill. Half of the money would come from British Gas with the remainder match funded by the Council from a £50,000 cash pot. Once this fund has been used, residents who install insulation will still receive £50 from British Gas. It would be the latest incentive scheme to encourage borough residents to be more energy-efficient and reduce their carbon footprint.

Cllr Martin Elengorn, Cabinet Member for Environment on Richmond Council, said: "Energy consumption in the home is one of the biggest emitters of carbon dioxide in our borough. The Council is exploring every opportunity to cut its own emissions and recently signed a new contract to run the borough's streetlights on electricity from renewable sources. We want our residents to follow suit and installing insulation is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways of cutting emissions and reducing heating bills. Subject to cabinet approval, this new scheme will help residents bear the cost of installation and within two years they will have recouped the outlay through lower energy bills."