🏠 Big news for homeowners! Nationwide is stepping up their game, doubling the number of customers who can access their amazing interest-free loans. Imagine getting up to £20,000 without any interest to make your home more energy-efficient! Perfect timing to consider those solar panels, new windows, or better insulation.
This initiative, known as the 0% Green Additional Borrowing scheme, originally aimed to help 5,000 homes but will now support 10,000 households. Since its launch in June 2023, families across the UK have benefited from around £60 million in loans, with the average household borrowing approximately £13,000. The South West is leading the way, with the highest uptake of these fantastic offers.
Why is this important? Housing is a huge contributor to emissions in Britain, making up around 20% in England alone. Nationwide’s research with WPI Economics suggests that if all homes were upgraded to Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band C or better, emissions could be slashed by almost half!
Henry Jordan, Nationwide’s mortgage guru, says the expansion is all about helping more people retrofit their homes and make them greener. He stresses the need for collaboration to tackle the UK’s housing emissions and highlights the role of the Green Home Finance Strategic Partnership.
But that’s not all! Nationwide also offers a Green Reward scheme with cashback bonuses for buyers of energy-efficient homes: up to £500 for EPC-A rated houses! And they’ve got an easy-to-use Home Energy Efficiency Tool, designed with the Energy Saving Trust, to help you map out your energy improvements.
Just ask Andrew from Norfolk. He used a £12,000 interest-free loan to install solar panels, cutting down his energy bills and doing his bit for the planet. He found it a perfect solution to overcoming the upfront costs of going green. 🌿💡
So, if you’re eager to shrink your energy bill and carbon footprint, Nationwide might just have the perfect solution for you. Get ready to go green, save money, and step towards a sustainable future! 🌍💸