Low-interest loans to cut energy bills and carbon emissions

The homes and businesses with the lowest energy bills are those with well-insulated buildings, fossil-free heating systems, solar panels and batteries. But the up-front costs mean that until now, these options have only been available to those with large amounts of spare cash or access to affordable credit. 

Cllr Colin Martin extended his mortgage to cover the cost of installing a heat pump on his home last year. "My house is now warm all year round, and it's great to know that I'm no longer dependent on fossil fuels which are both expensive and bad for the climate. But I know that not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to borrow thousands of pounds from a regular bank. Ironically this means that the people most in-need of a home energy upgrade are the least likely to be able to afford it!"

In 2021, Colin urged Cornwall Council's Chief Financial Offcier and the Cabinet Member for Finance to find a way to make low-interest loans available to everyone all. The Council has now teamed up with Lendology CIC to offer loans at just 4% interest, so your monthly repayments might even be covered by the reduction in your monthly energy bills!

People living in rented accommodation can benefit from this scheme too as these cheap loans are also available to private landlords.

Who can apply? 

The Green, Home Improvement Scheme aims to support those in greatest need: 

• Homeowners who are unlikely to be able to access mainstream lending (e.g. due to employment/income status, credit history, age, or other circumstances);
• Homeowners deemed to be in fuel poverty;
• Homeowners with children under 16 years of age;
• Homeowners with long-term health issues or disabilities;
• Park home owners.
• Private landlords can apply if they are making energy efficiency improvements to their private rental sector properties that will have a clear, positive impact on the lives of their tenants.
• The scheme is not open to properties used as holiday lets or second homes 

For more information or to apply for the Green Home Improvement Loan Scheme:

Visit the Lendology website 

Email: loans@lendology.org.uk or call: 01823 461099