Households in England earning less than £36,000 per year could be eligible for up to £30,000 in free energy-saving improvements, as local authorities aim to enhance living conditions. The Warm Homes: Local Grant, a government initiative available only in England, offers financial support for making homes more energy efficient.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify, your household income must be below £36,000 annually, or you may be eligible based on your postcode area. If your local council has available funding and you meet the requirements, they will arrange a home survey to assess potential improvements. The grant applies to privately owned homes, whether owned by you or your landlord. If you have a landlord, they may need to contribute to some costs, but you will not be responsible for payment. Additionally, your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G. If you are unsure of your EPC, you can find out during the application process.
Potential Improvements
Improvements may include cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, smart controls, solar panels, and more. The scheme aims to boost your home's EPC rating to at least a 'C' after installation. According to MoneySavingExpert, founded by Martin Lewis, you could receive around £15,000 worth of energy-efficiency improvements and an additional £15,000 grant for low-carbon heating installation.
List of Covered Improvements
- Cavity wall insulation
- Flat roof insulation
- Internal wall insulation
- Loft insulation
- Park home insulation
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Solid/external wall insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Heating controls
- Hot water cylinder insulation
- Hot water cylinder thermostat
- Hot water cylinder/tank
- Low energy lighting
- Solar PV
- Solar thermal
- Battery storage (only when complementing Solar PV)
- Digital/smart controls
- Draught proofing
- Double/triple glazing
- Energy efficiency doors
- Air-source heat pump
- Ground-source heat pump
- Hybrid heat pump
- Shared ground loops
- High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
- Biomass boilers
Income Over £36,000?
If your total household income exceeds £36,000, you may still qualify if you live in a specific postcode area or if someone in your household receives certain benefits. It is worth applying to check your eligibility.
