Cambridge Action on Energy

Aran were successfully appointed by Action on Energy to support residents across Cambridgeshire to undertake energy efficiency works.

Action on Energy is a partnership between Cambridgeshire County Council, Cambridge City Council, East Cambridgeshire District Council, Fenland District Council, Huntingdonshire District Council and South Cambridgeshire District Council.

Action on Energy successfully bid for Local Authority Delivery (LAD) and Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) to assist residents across the private sector to complete energy efficiency improvements to their homes.

Aran have helped more than 500 residents access LAD and HUG funding to date, enabling the installation of one or more of the following: loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, internal wall insulation, flat roof insulation, air source heat pumps, high heat retention storage heaters, solar PV and ventilation.

Gill was one Cambridgeshire resident who was able to access grant funding to help improve her home and reduce her energy bills.  Gill lives in a solid-wall house, which are harder to keep cool in summer and cost more to heat in winter.    Solid wall homes are less straight forward than a cavity wall building to insulate, requiring either an insulated layer installed by attaching a thermal layer to the existing external walls and then finished with a render, or by fitting insulation to the inside of the home and plastering the walls.  The LAD grant funding in this instance enabled Aran to provide loft insulation, external wall insulation, and improve the ventilation to reduce the risk of condensation.

Gill’s feedback:

‘I contacted Aran after I got funding from the Council to insulate my home. Aran came out and carried out a thorough examination of the house. I was recommended to have loft insulation, as well as ventilation over my windows and air extractors in my kitchen and bathroom.

The main insulation was the external wall insulation. The installers were incredibly professional and completed the work much faster than expected, tidying up all the way. I immediately noticed the difference in summer because the house was much cooler during heatwaves. Normally I can feel the oppressive heat when I go upstairs but that didn’t happen. In winter, I will be able to fill my oil tank twice instead of 3 or 4 times which will save a lot of money. In addition, my house looks much better because the external insulation is much smarter – and you even get to pick your own colour!’

Installing solid wall insulation will save Gill approximately £500 per year on heating her home and reduce her carbon footprint.

Action on Energy continue to provide grants to residents across Cambridgeshire. If you are interested in improving the energy efficiency of your home and reducing your heating bills, then please contact Aran or Action on Energy.