Refurb Projects April 2017

CIF FUNDING
How to apply for CIF
and reduce your schools energy consumption
Schools, academies and sixth-form colleges can obtain funding to improve the quality of
buildings and premises via the CIF. Short for the Condition Improvement Fund, this
government financial incentive is available annually via an online application process.
The fund itself is designed to assist schools and colleges with health and safety issues,
building compliance, improving energy efficiency and expansion projects.
HOW DO SCHOOLS QUALIFY FOR
THE CIF?
For primary schools to be eligible for
this grant, they need to have a
minimum project demand of at least
£20,000.
This figure rises to £50,000 for
secondary schools and colleges and
the maximum that the government
will assign to a project is £4
million.
Any money offered to successful
applicants is ring-fenced solely for
the improvement works, but the
energy savings can free up
additional financial resources for
other demands within the school.
APPLYING FOR THE CONDITION
IMPROVEMENT FUND
Applicants apply for the CIF online
via the Education and Skills Funding
Agency (ESFA) and attach
supporting documentation as
evidence to make their case as
strong as possible.
Each year, the application
process consists of four main stages:
1) Online application forms are
available to complete on the ESFA
website in October
2) Applicants create an account on
the ESFA CIF portal before
November
3) Application forms are submitted
by December via the online portal
4) Successful applicants are
announced in March once they’ve
been assessed
Unsuccessful applicants can try
to obtain private funding or go
through the ESFA appeals process.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA FOR CIF
APPLICANTS
The three core areas that are used to
determine whether a project is
successful in its bid to obtain
funding are:
Project need (70%) – the
evidence provided and a condition
survey are the main factors in
determining how funding is allotted,
and health issues, such as heating or
gas safety, take priority for the
distribution of funds
Project planning (15%) –
applicants should detail the risks
involved and showcase how the
financial resources offered will
resolve them
Value for money (15%) – the
breakdown of costs is assessed to see
whether they meet the demands of
the project
RENEWABLE ENERGY IN
REFURBISHED SCHOOLS
Many schools use gas-fired systems,
but a mixture of new technologies
assisted by the fund can help to
reduce energy consumption and
carbon footprint levels significantly.
EXAMPLES OF RENEWABLE
ENERGY IN REFURBISHED
SCHOOLS CAN INCLUDE:
CHP (Combined Heat and Power) –
this converts single fuel into both
electricity and heat, which provides
financial and environmental
benefits.
Its potential to be used as an
efficient, complete heat source is
greatest in bigger schools that
require large volumes of hot water.
In addition, schools can connect
to district CHP schemes and it’s even
possible to generate income from
electricity tariffs when CHP is used
on site.
Air source heat pumps – heat is
absorbed from the outside air and
this can be used to heat radiators,
underfloor heating and hot water.
Ground source heat pumps –
heat is extracted from pipes buried
in the ground to heat radiators,
water and air-heating systems.
This method is ideal for reducing
your carbon footprint and is even
more powerful when used in
conjunction with other solutions,
such as improving insulation and
windows.
USING PROFESSIONAL
CONTRACTORS
If you’re looking to improve your
own carbon footprint and make
your school more energy-efficient,
speak to professional contractors
first.
They will understand your project
need and work out the correct path
to take based on your individual
project need.
For more information about the
school Condition Improvement Fund
visit 361 Degrees.
Web: www.361degrees.co.uk
2 APRIL 2017, REFURBISHMENT PROJECTS