4 January 2019
We are delighted to announce that NEP is now an accredited Home Improvement Agency (HIA). We join 200 existing Home Improvement Agencies across England who are all trusted, not-for-profit organisations installing practical interventions, and offering reliable advice to improve the health and wellbeing of vulnerable people.
We presented to Foundations, the accreditor of HIAs, appointed by the Ministry of Housing, Communities & Local Government, just before Christmas. We talked through our existing home energy efficiency schemes, our track record and future plans to continually improve our services to help vulnerable homeowners and private tenants to live affordably warm.
What does it mean for NEP?
Our day to day activity will not change, as it seems we’ve been meeting the standards and aims of an HIA for over a decade.
The main plus is that we will receive more funding – up to £500 for eligible households. We will also offer a greater range of general home improvement services to complement our existing home energy improvements.
Increased funding for vulnerable clients via our Healthy Housing Service
Our new HIA status not only strengthens our reputation of being a trusted organisation, we will also be able to apply for additional funding for individual households to further subsidise our NEP Boiler Replacement Scheme.
Our NEP Boiler Replacement Scheme has always been subsidised, however, now we’re an HIA, we can apply to access a further £500 through the HIA fund for certain households that meet the criteria; visit our Healthy Housing page for criteria detail. This can take up to £1,000 off the cost of a replacement boiler.
We find that the main barrier stopping a household saying ‘yes’ to a new boiler is the cost, with further funding, we will be able to help more households transform their old, unreliable system to a safe, more energy efficient model which can cost up to £240 less a year to run.
Miranda Cumberbatch, Affordable Warm Programme Manager
A wider range of Home Improvements via our Home Improvement Team
Our Home improvement Team, managed by Darren Barker project manage and install full cost home energy efficiency measures to ‘able to pay’ clients, these include:
- Solid wall insulation
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Boiler repairs and replacements
- Solar battery storage
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)
Although these improvements are not subsidised, as a not-for-profit we always ensure our prices are very competitive. Since receiving the accreditation, this team has expanded their services to include general home improvements. We secure the quotes and project manage the work, this means less hassle for the householder and a high level of workmanship at all times. New services include:
- Replacement of doors and windows
- Roof repairs and replacements
- General plumbing
- Bathroom/kitchen repairs and replacements
- Electrics
- General building work
We are listed on the Home Improvement Agency website
Should a private household living in Nottingham or Nottinghamshire require a home energy efficiency improvement we will come up on the HIA’s local search – they will also see Age UK Nottingham and Nottinghamshire, the only other HIA in the area and one of our existing partners for over 15 years.