The Home Upgrade Grant – HUG2
A grant for low-income residents who live in homes that are not connected to mains gas. This grant can help with energy-saving improvements like insulation, new heating systems, and energy-efficient lighting.
The scheme can help with installing improvements such as:
- new low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps
- insulation for walls, lofts and floors
- new heating controls or an energy efficient hot water system helping you to only use heat when you need to
- energy-efficient lighting which is cheaper to run
Eligibility
You can apply HUG2 scheme if you are a home owner or a private tenant.
Household income
You will be eligible if you:
- have a gross household income of less than £36,000 a year
or - are receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits such as
Other criteria
Your home must be:
- off the gas grid
- have an energy performance certificate rating (EPC) of: D, E, F or G
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, you could get a grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Zero Carbon Communities Grant
The Zero Carbon Communities Grant Fund is open to community groups and parish and town councils, with grants of up to £20,000 available.
Projects might include:
other projects – such as waste reduction projects or community initiatives that promote sustainable lifestyle choices
community buildings – for example, energy conservation or efficiency measures
nature and biodiversity projects – this could include community allotment projects, or the restoration, creation or enhancement of a community nature area
Solar Together Essex
A group buying scheme for solar panels for residents and businesses
If you live or run a business in Essex you can register for ‘Solar Together Essex’, the solar panel group buying scheme.
The Essex County Council (ECC) scheme helps buyers through the process of purchasing high quality solar panels, offering lower prices than the open market and pairing up residents with trusted suppliers. Solar Together Essex helps residents to save money on both installation and future energy bills.
There is currently no active scheme in Uttlesford. But you can still leave your details and the ECC team will send you an invitation as soon as registration opens for the next scheme in the district.
Warm Homes
Essex Council has launched two schemes to help low-income households and vulnerable residents reduce energy costs and emissions.
Residents across Essex can apply to have solar panels, heat pumps and more energy-efficient measures installed for little to no cost.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) Flex are being offered by Essex County Council through Better Housing, Better Health to help improve energy inefficient properties.
Both schemes are available to homeowners and tenants, with landlord permission, who have a household income below £31,000 and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G. Residents with a property tax band between A and D can also apply for the GBIS. Both schemes are also available to residents with a qualifying benefit or health condition. No income limit is applied to those with a qualifying health condition.
Eligible residents could save energy costs and improve their EPC rating with insulation, boiler replacements, low-energy lighting, air source heat pumps and solar panels.
Councillor Schwier, Climate Czar and Cabinet Member for Environment, Waste Reduction and Recycling at Essex County Council, said:
A low EPC rating can cost hundreds of pounds per year in energy bills, reduce the value of a property and ultimately harm the environment. However, improving it can come with an upfront cost many people can’t afford. ECO4 Flex and the Great British Insulation Scheme Flex will help ensure low-income households and vulnerable residents are able to access valuable energy-saving measures. I strongly encourage Essex residents to check their eligibility here.”
The Great British Insulation Scheme
You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills.
You might get support if your home:
- has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G – check your EPC
- is in Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland or Wales – check your Council Tax band
You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.
Energy Company Obligation
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.