HOUSEHOLDERS in Suffolk Coastal who are planning to make their homes more energy self-sufficient are being urged to apply for grant aid from a new national funding scheme.

HOUSEHOLDERS in Suffolk Coastal who are planning to make their homes more energy self-sufficient are being urged to apply for grant aid from a new national funding scheme.

A total of £11.9 million is being made available by the government from Tuesday May 29 through the Low Carbon Buildings Programme (LCBP) to support solar, wind and water powered systems, or for wood pellets or wood-fuelled boiler systems.

This includes grants for mini wind turbines, solar PV panels and solar water heating systems.

Council cabinet member Chris Slemmings said: “From our experience of holding information road-shows, there is a high level of interest among our residents about installing systems that will give their home their own source of energy.

“One of the most cost-effective systems to install is solar water heating, especially if you don't have access to mains gas. Our energy efficiency team provide independent advice on this and other green energy, or microgeneration as it is officially called, products.”

The grants can be worth up to £2,500 or 50 per cent of the cost of installation for some projects. Grants for solar water heating are £400 off average installation cost of about £3,500. To apply people must have installed good levels of insulation, heating controls and fitted low energy bulbs.

People interested in having a solar water heating system is recommended to seek a quote from Suffolk Energy Action Link, a council-supported scheme which monitors costs and installer performance to ensure a fair deal.

People should call is the Climate Change and Energy Helpline on 0800 02 88 938 for more details.