Council initiative helps Witney mum keep her energy bills down
A Witney mum is calling on people to check if they are eligible for free home energy upgrades after a council-run scheme helped lower her household bills.
Single mum of three, Katie Gamble, cut her energy bills with help from Oxfordshire County Council and Welcome the Warmth. She is now encouraging others to check if they qualify.
The scheme is part of the government’s Warm Homes: Local Grant programme, funded by the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero. It offers free energy-saving upgrades to eligible households to help reduce bills and improve energy efficiency. Measures include insulation, solar panels and heat pumps.
As Katie, who is 43, explains, “I have three teenagers and a very busy household, so our energy use is high. When the cost of living increased, our bills really shot up, which was so difficult.
“I found out about the scheme through my job at the council and realised I was eligible. The process was simple. I applied online and heard back from the team quickly.”
Through the scheme, Katie had solar panels and a battery installed at her home, which she says she would not otherwise have been able to afford.
“It was really straightforward. They carried out a survey of my home to check its energy rating, then talked me through the options and the benefits of solar panels.
“They did an amazing job. I still can’t believe it was completely free. There is no way I would have been able to afford it otherwise. I would encourage anyone to check if they are eligible because it could make a real difference.”
Councillor Laura Gordon, Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Economy, said: “It is great to see how the Warm Homes: Local Grant has helped Katie and her family make their home more energy efficient and cheaper to run.
“Katie is one of over 100 households that have already benefited from the scheme, and there are a number of ways it can help. With energy costs still a concern for many households, this scheme can help people cut costs and make their homes warmer and more efficient before the colder months return.
Find out more about the scheme and check eligibility by visiting Welcome the Warmth’s website or by calling 0800 038 6775.
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