Castle Hedingham Parish Council

Residents across Essex can register their interest in making their home’s heating more efficient and eco-friendly with exclusive pricing through Switch Together.

Switch Together is delivered by iChoosr, the organisation behind the successful Solar Together Essex programme, in partnership with Essex County Council.

Switch Together offers Essex homeowners professional and competitively priced air source heat pump installations from reputable and trusted installers.

Air source heat pumps can cut carbon emissions by 44% per year, according to the Energy Saving Trust, with efficiency ratings typically reaching 300%.

While saving on energy bills in the long run, air source heat pumps can come with a high upfront cost, which Switch Together is able to reduce through group-buying.

Group-buying simplifies the transition to air source heat pumps, making them more accessible with exclusive pricing along with help and support when deciding to switch.

The process involves:

• Essex homeowners can register their interest for free and without obligation at switchtogether.com/essex by 1 November 2024
• Switch Together can then access a list of vetted installers, which compete by bidding to work with local residents, offering their most competitive price without compromising on quality
• Those who have registered receive a personal offer via email detailing all costs and specifications tailored to their home, with no obligation to proceed
• Homeowners can review the offer at their own pace and if they choose to proceed, the installer will schedule a survey and complete the installation
• Telephone and email help desks are available throughout the process, allowing households to make an informed decision in a hassle-free environment

Air source heat pumps deliver highly efficient heating and hot water. Essex homeowners can significantly reduce their carbon footprint and contribute towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly community by making the switch.

Councillor Peter Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling, said: “Household heating accounts for about 14% of the country’s CO2 emissions. Considering how energy bills have risen, it is in everyone’s interest that modern and efficient air source heat pumps are made more accessible to Essex homeowners.

“Essex County Council is delighted to be working with iChoosr on the Switch Together initiative. Reducing the county’s carbon emissions is vital to our net-zero ambitions, as set out by our Essex Climate Action Commission, and improving the quality of life of all residents.”

Essex residents may qualify for further savings through a £7,500 grant from the government's Boiler Upgrade Scheme towards a new heat pump installation. Heat pump installations are also currently VAT-exempt.

Homeowners can visit switchtogether.com/heat-pump by 1 November 2024 to register for the scheme and find out more information.