In October 2023, the Home Upgrade Grant was launched in Dorset, a government-funded scheme, which assisted 172 homeowners and landlords in enhancing their homes’ energy efficiency, resulting in:
- 67 Air Source Heat Pump installs
- 106 Solar PV installs
- 56 High Heat Retention Electric Storage Heaters installs
- 12 Park Home insulation installs
- 5 Cavity Wall insulation installs
- 21 Loft insulation installs
- 24 Ventilation installs
This was managed by Ridgewater Energy on behalf of BCP Council and Dorset Council. The scheme provided various packages of retrofit improvements to households throughout Dorset. These included cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, air source heat pumps, and solar panels.
Demand for the scheme was very high and the measures were part of a well-considered package that helped residents improve their property’s Energy Performance Certificate rating, lowered their energy bills and improve their indoor air quality. The funding was specifically designed to support low-income households, those living in disadvantaged areas, or recipients of eligible income-related benefits.
BCP Council and Dorset Council received the funding from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero to implement this scheme, and a similar initiative, Warm Homes: Local Grant, has recently been announced for the upcoming year (April 2025). Ridgewater Energy is currently preparing and establishing procedures to roll out this new program.
