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Lewisham Energy Loans Scheme (LELS)
Take out an interest-free Lewisham Energy Loan and you'll reduce your fuel bills and combat climate change.
The Lewisham Energy Loans Scheme (LELS) provides interest free loans and advice for the installation of domestic energy efficiency measures and renewable energy, and privately used alternative fuel vehicles. To receive a loan you must be eligible to become a member of Crownsavers Credit Union.
LELS uses a revolving loan fund, administered by Crownsavers, the Lewisham Employees' Credit Union. LELS is funded by Lewisham Council. The council is keen to encourage people to take actions that will bring affordable warmth and assist in reducing carbon dioxide emissions, the main gas associated with climate change.
Lewisham Energy Loans are available to anyone who is eligible to join Crownsavers Credit Union e.g. University Hospital Lewisham, Lewisham College, Lewisham Council and Lewisham PCT employees.
If you are not already a member please remember to download both the member application form and energy loan form. You can only apply for a Crownsavers energy loan if you are a member.
1. Applying for a loan
Become a member of Crownsavers by completing the Crownsavers membership application form, and the separate Lewisham Energy Loans (LELs) application form. Order an application pack by completing the slip overleaf or download the forms from the Crownsavers website www.crownsavers.co.uk
Check you can afford the repayments, which will be deducted directly from your salary at a rate of 1/12, 1/24 or 1/36 of the loan sum per month, depending on the loan period
Ensure that you have not already purchased the product or service, as loans can not be provided retrospectively.
2. Size of loan and availability
Loans vary from £100 to £3,000 per employee, repayable over 12, 24 or 36 months. Where applications exceed programme funds, priority will be given to applications achieving greatest energy efficiency and fastest payback.
3. Products and services eligible for a Lewisham Energy loan
You may obtain a loan to spend on one or more of the following:
a) An 'A' rated domestic appliance*:
- Fridge
- Freezer
- Fridge/Freezer
- Dishwasher
- Washing Machine
- Tumble drier - visit www.est.org.uk for a database of energy-saving products and details of A-rated tumble driers.
- Washer drier
* The European Union Energy Label is required to be displayed on the above appliances when sold from new, identifying an energy use rating of A to G.
b) Purchase of low energy light bulbs (between 10 and 30 bulbs)
Compact fluorescent light bulbs use one fifth of the energy of ordinary light bulbs and last up to ten times longer, saving on average £65 over the bulb's lifetime. They are available in many styles and wattages and cost approximately £5 each.
c) Loft insulation or/and draught-proofing
Loft insulation can normally be installed in a standard loft space for approximately £150, providing a saving of £180-£200 each year for lofts with no insulation previously.
d) Cavity wall insulation
Cavity wall insulation can normally be installed in post 1930 properties for approximately £250, providing a saving of around £130-£160 each year.
e) Condensing boiler
By law new gas boilers fitted in England and Wales must now be high efficiency condensing boilers (with a few exceptions). The best high-efficiency condensing boilers convert more than 90% of their fuel into heat compared to 78% for conventional types, giving savings to the average home of £100-£120 each year.
f) Low-E double glazing
Double glazing cuts heat loss through windows by 50% and can save £80-£100 a year on heating bills. Double glazing can also save a household about two-thirds of a tonne of C02 a year. Low-E glass reflects energy back into a building, which helps achieve higher energy savings than standard glass. Always look for the Energy Saving Recommended logo when choosing your windows - that way you can be sure they are the most energy efficient.
g) Renewable energy installations
Renewable energy grants are available from central government to assist in domestic installations. Solar hot water heating, photovoltaics, ground source heatpumps and wind turbines will be considered. Any installation receiving a grant or that has received planning permission will also be automatically eligible for a Lewisham Energy Loan.
h) Alternative fuel vehicles
Many vehicles now run on cleaner fuels, or could be converted to a cleaner fuel. The purchase of any privately used, fully electric vehicle, or one that is converted by an organisation from the EST Approved Companies List, is eligible for a loan. Visit www.est.org.uk/fleet for more information.
4. Eligibility Criteria
To apply for LELS you must:
- borrow the money for spending on one or more of the products or services detailed in Section 3, subject to a £3,000 loan maximum
- become a member of Crownsavers by completing the membership application form, and the separate Lewisham Energy Loans application form
- present an invoice for products or services, providing details of the supplier and a product specification, so a cheque can be made out. Note that loans cannot be provided retrospectively.
5. Preferred suppliers
Eligible products or services can be purchased from any company. Details of discount schemes available and a list of installers can be obtained by contacting the EEAC.
The Council and Credit Union do not accept any responsibility for the price, work undertaken or goods supplied to you, if you choose to purchase from a supplier whose details were supplied under this scheme. It is recommended that at least 2 quotes be obtained for all purchases.
6. Quality Control
The employee shall be deemed by acceptance of a loan to have agreed to allowing an appointed council officer reasonable access to their property to check that expenditure has been made on goods or services covered by the loan criteria. This does not necessarily mean that an employee will be visited as a result of this quality control procedure.
7. Further loans
Employees may apply for a second loan once at least one third of the first loan has been repaid, however the total amount loaned at anyone time must not exceed £3,000. First time employee applications will be considered before second applications. If funds are not available to cover all loans at anyone time, applications will be held over until funds become available.
Useful Documents
Please be reminded that when you take a loan, you are using other members savings. So it is up to you to ensure that you repay your loan, so that others can benefit too!
Energy_Loan_Application_Form.pdf
(Energy Loan application form. You must be a member of Crownsavers to apply for an energy loan, so please download our membership application form if you are not already a memeber. More details on the Energy Loans page.)