Top marks for green scheme

An energy efficiency and home improvement scheme has ‘come up trumps’ twice after entering two environmental competitions.

The Herts Essex Energy Partnership (HEEP) has won a national Green Apple Award, after being nominated in an environmental category. The Green Apple Awards take place each year, although this is the first time that HEEP has been nominated. The award will be collected at a ceremony at the House of Commons in November by a representative from Climate Energy who manage the scheme.

Cllr Jean Heywood, Environment portfolio holder, said: "The HEEP grant scheme is a great way for homeowners and private tenants to insulate their property and invest in heating systems by getting a grant from their local authority. We are delighted and proud that the scheme has been given the thumbs up in two separate award categories."

Closer to home, HEEP has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Environmental Project category at the Hertfordshire Green Awards, which are run by a local newspaper group.

This is also the first time the scheme has entered the Hertfordshire Green Awards, and the winners will be announced at an event at The Priory in Hitchin on 2 September.

HEEP consists of 15 local authorities, including Hertsmere Borough Council, that provide energy saving home improvement loans to residents.

Through the HEEP scheme residents can receive discounted insulation. However, if the homeowner or private tenant is over 70 years old or on qualifying benefits they maybe entitled to free energy saving initiatives. The latest offers include loft insulation at £49 and cavity wall insulation for £49.

Find out more about the HEEP scheme  or about the Hertfordshire Green Awards and more on the Green Apple Awards.