Somerset homeowners are encouraged to take steps towards more energy-efficient homes and lower energy bills with a Somerset Council-backed Lendology loan.
With energy prices rising this winter, Lendology CIC, a Social Enterprise lender and Somerset Council, are reminding residents about their council-backed, fixed rate loans that help homeowners and landlords with repairs, energy efficiency improvements, and renewable energy upgrades like insulation, windows, solar panels, and air source heat pumps.
These can help to save money, improve comfort and wellbeing, increase property value, and reduce carbon emissions.
Lendology has been a trusted partner with Somerset Council and the former district councils since 2005. They work with a diverse range of homeowners and landlords, offering a fixed interest rate for everyone, regardless of the loan amount, term, or financial circumstances.
Loan decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, making it accessible for those who might struggle to borrow elsewhere, such as the self-employed, benefit recipients, or retirees.
The Lendology scheme was funded by the former Somerset district councils and this original pot of money is recycled. This means that every time a Somerset homeowner makes a monthly repayment, the money becomes available for another Somerset homeowner.
Residents who are interested in making energy saving improvements to their homes can see how much a loan would cost with the Lendology Loan calculator.
Lendology also partners with local organisations like The Centre for Sustainable Energy to provide impartial energy advice, grant eligibility assessments, and home retrofit support and the Councils Home Improvement Agency Somerset Independence Plus (SIP) SIP can assist with any essential repairs to the home, applying for various benefits that you may be eligible for and advising on how to save energy.
Councillor Graham Oakes, Lead Member for Public Health, Environment and Climate Change said:
With energy costs increasing again, Lendology loans offer a great way for homeowners to turn their drafty, cold houses into cosy, energy-efficient homes. The Lendology team is friendly and helpful. I encourage anyone interested in retrofitting their home to contact them. You could be a phone call away from a much warmer winter and you’ll be contributing to a greener, more sustainable Somerset.
Emma Lower, CEO at Lendology, added:
We’ve worked with the former Somerset district councils and Somerset Council for almost 25 years and are a trusted partner and lender across the county. We are seeing more and more homeowners contacting us to spread the cost of energy efficiency measures such as new windows, air source heat pumps and renewable energy measures such as solar panels. With the UK having the oldest housing stock in Europe, the cost of maintaining homes is also increasing and we continue to support homeowners with larger jobs such as replacing roofs.
For more information about Lendology loans, visit their website at www.lendology.org.uk.
Somerset Council can also help with energy saving advice support through Somerset Independence Plus.
You can also loan a free thermal imaging camera through Somerset libraries to help you find out exactly where your home leaks heat.
