RE:NEW – Homes Energy Efficiency for Tomorrow

Who is it for?

RE:NEW (formerly known as the Homes Energy Efficiency Programme) will be available to all residents in London.

How are we doing it?

Offering residents a range of free-of-charge, easy-to-do measures, from changing to low-energy light bulbs to installing stand-by switches and providing water and energy-saving advice.

What are the benefits?

The programme will ensure that a recognisable and consistent model is being delivered across London. Residents will be offered a free range of energy and water efficient measures that will reduce their energy bills.

The aim is that more substantial steps, such as loft and cavity wall insulation, will involve no upfront costs, be free for those on qualifying benefits and subsidised for those who are able to pay. It will also help alleviate fuel poverty as energy advisers will carry out benefits checks whilst in the home.

Why is the LDA involved?

It is recognised that existing programmes in London do not have the capacity to deliver the carbon savings needed to help the capital meet its carbon emission reduction targets of 60% by 2025. The main aim of RE:NEW is to pull all these programmes together to develop a single scheme that can be rolled out across the capital.

What is the budget?

£9.5 million over three years.

How can I get involved?

Contact your local council or the contact the London Development Agency (LDA).

Who can I contact for more information?

For London home owners, please contact your borough council.

Representatives of London boroughs looking for more information can contact Rachael Knowland, RE:NEW Programme Manager at the LDA .

RE:NEW is a partnership between the LDA, Greater London Authority (GLA), London Councils, the Energy Saving Trust and the 33 London boroughs. The genesis of the programme lies with London Futures and their desire to build a pan-London programme. The GLA, LDA, London Councils and Energy Saving Trust are now providing the logical central co-ordination to the programme and also the initial funding. The main delivery route will come from the boroughs.

What is RE:NEW?

RE:NEW is a pan-London, homes retrofitting scheme aimed at reducing residential carbon dioxide emissions. Through initial trials and demonstration projects, practical energy and water efficiency activities will be delivered and these will inform the design of a model that will enable roll-out into a wider, homes retrofit programme for London.

The model is an area-based, whole-house approach that encompasses all housing tenures and has something to offer every borough and every household. It includes a range of free-of-charge, easy-to-do measures, from changing low-energy light bulbs to installing stand-by switches and giving energy and water saving advice.

The aim is that more substantial steps such as loft and cavity wall insulation will involve no upfront costs, be free for those on qualifying benefits and subsidised for those who are able to pay. Offering the package of easy measures enables the delivery of something into every home visited, therefore increasing the uptake of measures overall.

The programme is operated by London’s boroughs. The boroughs are supportive of the process, methodology and ambition of the scheme. There is also widespread support for the model, which ensures that all boroughs will get funding to roll out the scheme in their areas in 2010.

When is the programme running?

The programme is running from April 2009 to March 2015, and will be delivered in three phases:

• Phase 1: Scope and mobilise (April 2009 to July 2010)
• Phase 2: London-wide roll-out (July 2010 to March 2012)
• Phase 3: London-wide roll-out (April 2012 to March 2015).

Who is running RE:NEW?

The programme is a partnership between the London Development Agency (LDA), Greater London Authority (GLA), London Councils, the Energy Saving Trust and the 33 London boroughs.

The programme will be operated by London’s boroughs and will aim to deliver energy-saving measures to residents on an area-by-area basis.