Free advice available to Cheltenham residents to ‘Future Fit’ their homes

This project was made possible by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

EPC ratings measure a home’s energy efficiency, on a scale of A-G. Did you know the average EPC band for a home in Cheltenham is a D? This means that out of 57,000 homes in the town, more than two thirds require significant retrofit measures to make them warmer, cheaper to run and fit for the future. Nearly 8,000 homes in Cheltenham have the lowest EPC rating of E, F or G. The challenge to make these homes fit for the future is enormous and requires a range of approaches and support.

An average Cheltenham home spends £2,550 a year on energy bills, and many households have seen a significant jump in energy costs over the last few years.

The same home also produces around 3.79 tonnes CO2e through the energy used to heat it. The equivalent of 4.35 return flights to Spain (calculated using Greenhouse gas reporting: conversion factors 2023). Saving energy through retrofit measures works for people (their pockets!) and planet.

Homeowners are encouraged to apply now to Future Fit Homes to access trusted, independent experts, and learn from other homeowners in Cheltenham who have future-proofed their homes with improvements such as solar panels, heat pumps, insulation and more.

Successful applicants will be signposted to grants and support, get exclusive access to talks and events and will be guided in what they can do to improve their properties.

If you’re a rental tenant or landlord, or are experiencing difficulty with energy bills, there is also information and support available from Severn Wye Energy Agency and the Warm and Well scheme.

The project also seeks individuals who are happy to share their own home improvement results to encourage others to ‘Future Fit’ their homes too! If you are a resident already on your home improvement journey, whether you’ve completed a full retrofit, or are halfway there please email [email protected] to share your story as one of our case studies.

If you’re a local supplier or installer of retrofit products, insulation, glazing, solar PV, heat pumps etc, please also get in touch as Future Fit Homes Cheltenham aims to spotlight local companies through talks and events as part of the project please email [email protected] to get involved.

Louise Forey, climate programme and engagement officer for Cheltenham Borough Council said: “With two thirds of Cheltenham properties with the potential to benefit from energy efficiency improvements, we are delighted to partner with Planet Cheltenham and Severn Wye Energy Agency for Future Fit Homes, with the aim of encouraging residents to sign up and make energy efficiency improvements to their homes. By reducing the energy required to heat a property, they are as a result, cheaper to run and more comfortable to live and work in.

“We can’t wait to meet and support local residents, whatever part of the retrofit journey they are on and encourage them to share their progress to encourage others to become ‘Future Fit’.”

Raechel Kelly, Planet Cheltenham, added: “Updating our homes to make them fit for the future should be a collective endeavour, rather than an individual one. Following on from the success of our Doughnut Econmics and Climate Changemakers peer-to-peer learning projects, we’re looking to apply the same principles to a cohort of homeowners looking to save money and share knowledge and advice.

“As part of this project, we hope that homeowners will also share their results with their friends, families and neighbours, and encourage others to make their homes Future Fit too.”

 Notes:

1. Data from Parity Projects, taken from 2023 EPC reports.
2. Installation of home improvement measures may be subject to planning and building regulations control and require application and consent.

For enquiries to the Future Fit Homes project, contact: [email protected]

Notes for editors

This project is funded £37,440 by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

About Cheltenham Borough Council

Working with residents, communities and businesses to help make Cheltenham net zero by 2030 is one of five key priorities for the council. Our Climate Emergency Action Plan sets out our aim to achieve the 2030 target by working with residents, communities, businesses and public and voluntary organisations.

About Planet Cheltenham and Vision21

Planet Cheltenham aims to empower and enable Cheltenham's citizens to take community climate action. Over the past 3 years Planet Cheltenham have set up a Youth Climate Group, Library of Things, Community Fridges, Doughnut Economics journey and Climate Changemakers group. The group is fundraising to create Cheltenham's first climate hub space in St Pauls, find out more: www.planetcheltenham.org 

Vision 21 is a small, yet highly active sustainability charity that has pioneered environmental projects for 30 years. Their mission is to make Gloucestershire communities more sustainable and resilient. They run Reclaim furniture reuse project, Repair Cafes, Annecy Gardens and Planted community cafe, for more information visit: www.vision21.org.uk