Energy Efficiency measures taken by Dartford Borough Council aim to help alleviate fuel poverty in the Borough as well as reduce greenhouse gases.
The Council is responsible under the Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 to report on the percentage of energy efficiency improvements in the housing stock in the Borough. The Council also work in partnership with other agencies to advise, educate and promote energy efficiency schemes, grants and discounts to residents in the Borough.
If you would like to find out more about Energy Efficiency, please click the link below:
Energy Efficiency and Conservation
What has the Council achieved so far?
Warm Homes Fund
The Council took the lead role on behalf of a number of Kent Local Authorities in bidding for the Affordable Warmth Solutions funding application for the Warm Homes Fund First Time Central Heating. Over 50 properties received funded first time gas connection, heating systems and energy efficiency measures. This was funded through blending grants from Southern Gas Network (SGN), Affordable Warmth Solutions, SSE/OVO utility and Local Authority funding from their own Discretionary Grants.
Warm Homes Fund First Time Central Heating Measures installed in properties in Dartford and partners Las Dover, Ashford, Swale, Tonbridge/Malling, Tunbridge Wells:
| Measure | Number |
|---|---|
| New gas connections | >53 |
| Condensing boilers | 64 |
| Cavity wall insulation | 26 |
| Loft insulation | 8 |
Breakdown of funding:
| Funding received from partner | Amount |
|---|---|
| Affordable Warmth Solutions | £100,808 |
| SGN | £44,000 |
| ECO Funds (SSE/OVO and contractor) | £74,290 |
| Discretionary Grants from Partner Las | £138,414 |
DECC Green Deal Community Local Authority Fund
The Council made a successful application for funding to improve the thermal efficiency of properties in the Borough from the DECC Green Deal Community Local Authority Fund . The sum awarded was £4,026,855
Local Authority Delivery Schemes
LAD1 (a)
In August 2020 the Council submitted a bid as lead authority for a consortium of Kent Local Authorities to LAD1 a. The application was successful and although at a difficult time (COVID restrictions and material shortage) a number of fabric first measures were installed.
The funding we received resulted in these measures:
| measure | Dartford number | Dover number | Gravesham number |
|---|---|---|---|
| External wall insulation | 5 | 4 | |
| Loft Insulation | 5 | 2 | |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | 1 | 1 |
| LAD1A GRANT | AMOUNT |
|---|---|
| Amount of initial grant spent | £158388 |
| Amount of initial grant spent on admin | £7582.37 |
A record of the carbon saved through these measures was supplied as part of the closure reporting.
LAD1 (b)
Following on from the successful application for LAD1a monies the Council submitted a further application to LAD1b for funding. The application covered Dartford Social Housing properties External Wall Insulation and Owner Occupied Properties. The Owner Occupied properties showed a continued commitment to fabric first measures with Dartford as the Lead Authority and Dover DC as a consortium members. The delivery period was December 2020 to September 2022.
The funding received was £1,168,354
LAD1b measures delivery period from grant application December 2020 – September 2022
| Measure | Dartford Social housing | Dartford number owner occupied | Dover number owner occupied | Tunbridge Wells owner occupied | Folkestone and Hythe owner occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| External wall insulation | 77 | 21 | 6 | ||
| Loft insulation | 7 | 31 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| Cavity wall insulation | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Internal Wall Insulation | 2 |
A record of the carbon saved through these measures was supplied as part of the closure reporting
LAD2
Due to the volume of properties enquiring about energy efficiency measures for owner occupied properties Dartford Borough Council as lead authority with Dover DC obtained a Direct Award from the Greater South East Net Zero Hub to deliver more fabric first measures. This was undertaken through a Direct Award Contract between Dartford and the Net Zero Hub
The Sum Awarded for our delivery of LAD2 by the Net Zero Hub for delivery in owner occupied properties was £660,763
LAD2 Measures Installed in delivery period: April 2022 – September 2022
| measure | Dartford number | Dover number |
|---|---|---|
| External wall insulation | 8 | 9 |
| Loft Insulation | 12 | 4 |
| Cavity Wall Insulation | 4 | 5 |
| Internal Wall Insulation | 1 | |
| Solar PV | 4 | 1 |
| Flat roof insulation | 3 | 1 |
A record of the carbon saved through these measures was supplied as part of the closure reporting
LAD3 (Sustainable Warmth but not HUG1)
With many outstanding requests for energy efficiency measures for owner occupied properties Dartford Borough Council again as lead authority with consortium member Dover DC applied for a Direct Award from the Greater South East Net Zero Hub to deliver more fabric first measures in properties in our Borough. We are currently still delivering this project (May 2023)
The Sum award for delivery of LAD3 by the Net Zero Hub for delivery in owner occupied properties was £273,839
LAD3 Measures currently planned to be installed February 2023 to present
| Measure | Dartford number | Dover number |
|---|---|---|
| Loft insulation | 11 | 5 |
| Cavity wall insulation | 1 | 2 |
| Flat roof insulation | 1 | 4 |
| Room in roof insulation | 2 | |
| External wall insulation | 2 | 1 |
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund Wave 2.1
In late 2022, a bid was been sucessfully submitted for the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) to complete External Wall Insulation on a further 200 properties, the amount awarded was £1,700,000
Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2)
In November 2022 Dartford submitted an application for HUG2 monies with Dartford as lead authority in a consortium with Dover. We are about to submit our Delivery Assurance Check to be able to start delivery following a successful application for funding.
National Energy Action Heat Hero Award 2020
In January 2020 the Dartford Borough Council Environmental Promotions Officer was one of 14 Officers recognised nationally with an NEA Heat Hero Award. This is given in recognition for the fuel poverty work that the individuals have done to help vulnerable people
Private Sector Housing Discretionary Grants
From the Better Care Funding the Council receives a number of discretionary grants are in place to support vulnerable residents to help keep them safe and warm within their own homes.
The discretionary grants have been used for efficiency measures within the home. View the details of the policy.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Fund
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 1
In 2021 Dartford Borough Council successfully applied for Phase 1 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The amount awarded was £1,340,802.
The funding was used for Decarbonisation works at the Civic Centre, Acacia Hall Sports Hall and Orchard Theatre. The measures installed included Air Source Heat Pumps, Solar PV Panels, LED Lighting and Building Management system.
Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme Phase 3B
In late 2022 Dartford Borough Council successfully applied for Phase 3b of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme. The amount awarded Dartford Borough Council was £1,508,475 to decarbonise Fairfield Leisure Centre. Old gas fired boilers will be replaced with air source heat pumps and the building energy management system will be updated. Solar panels, LED lighting and lighting controls will also be installed.