A NEW scheme has been launched to help homeowners looking to save on their heating bills and make their homes more environmentally friendly. The Herts Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP) was officially launched earlier this month, aiming to cut out fuel pover

A NEW scheme has been launched to help homeowners looking to save on their heating bills and make their homes more environmentally friendly.

The Herts Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP) was officially launched earlier this month, aiming to cut out fuel poverty in Hertfordshire and Essex by offering substantial grants and interest-free loans for homeowners who want to make their homes more energy-efficient.

HEEP takes the legwork out of finding out whether or not you are eligible for a grant for your home by approaching money-awarding organisations on your behalf. On top of this, the partnership has received millions of pounds of government funding to enable it to offer grants and loans unavailable from other sources.

The aim of the campaign is to reduce fuel poverty and carbon emissions by encouraging the take-up of grants to improve insulation and install renewable technologies in privately owned, leasehold or rented homes.

These measures will be free* for homeowners in receipt of qualifying benefits. Homeowners not in receipt of benefits will be able to receive reduced rates of �99* for cavity wall or loft insulation and over-70s can get these measures for free.

Homeowners in this group can also obtain grants and interest-free loans for advanced insulation and renewables such as solar panels.

UDC energy efficiency surveyor, Jake Roos, said: "This new partnership marks a big leap forward in the range of financial assistance available to householders for energy efficiency and renewables and the 'one stop shop' approach makes the process of getting these improvements easier too. I would urge householders to contact the programme to find out more."

All enquiries and applications for the grants can be made on freephone number 0800 980 6026 quoting HEEP3.

A website is also available at www.heepgrant.org, or you can find out more by visiting www.uttlesford.gov.uk and selecting Climate Change from the main menu on the homepage.

* Subject to technical survey and qualifying criteria