A £3 million scheme has been launched to help install eco-heaters in social housing.
Heating equipment including biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps will be available under the new scheme for registered providers of social housing, such as local authorities and social housing associations.

The £3m is available as part of the £15m Renewable Heat Premium Payment (RHPP) budget, to make home heating improvements to tenants' homes.

The scheme will be managed by the Energy Saving Trust. Housing providers can apply for up to £175,000, with the deadline for bids set as 15 September.

Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:‪ 'This new programme is directly targeted at many of the people who will be struggling to pay their heating bills next winter. It will drive the take up of new heating technologies in social housing and help slash their dependence on big energy companies and expensive tariffs.

'In the face of rising gas and electricity bills, the Premium Payment scheme is a valuable way for people to get involved in energy generation at a local level, insulating them from volatile fossil fuel costs and ensuring homes are heated in a greener, more sustainable way. The Renewable Heat Incentive for householders will be up and running next year making it even more attractive to get involved.'

Philip Sellwood, chief executive of the Energy Saving Trust said: 'The only way to tackle the energy efficiency of our housing stock is to make it possible for everyone in our society to take action, and low carbon heating systems are a major part of this. The Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme goes a step further in bringing these technologies to more households.'

David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation, said: 'The National Housing Federation welcomes this specific allocation of £3 million from the Renewable Heat Premium Payment budget to assist social housing providers, such as housing associations to increase their use of renewable heating technologies and so to reduce emissions.'

The bids will be evaluated by a panel of experts on criteria including value for money, the number of individual eco-heaters installed, the opportunity for learning and the number of homes not supplied by mains gas. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of September and can start installing renewable heat equipment as soon as they receive confirmation of their winning bid.

Details on how to apply can be viewed on the Energy Saving Trust website here.