LONDON: A £3m scheme has been launched to help install eco-heaters in the homes of social housing tenants. Heating equipment including biomass boilers, solar hot water panels and heat pumps will be available under the new scheme.

Registered providers of social housing, such as local authorities and social housing associations, will be able to bid for a share of the £3m, part of the £15m Renewable Heat Premium Payment budget, to make home heating improvements to tenants' homes.

Bids are invited for funds of up to around £175 000 per housing provider to support proposals that should in total finance at least 17 social housing projects. The deadline for bids is 15 of September. The Energy Saving Trust will manage the scheme.

Eligible technologies include biomass boilers, solar thermal panels, ground source heat pumps, air to water source heat pumps and water-to-water source heat pumps. Bidders will be restricted to Registered Providers of social housing.