Grants of up to £25,000 are available for people on low incomes living in poorly-insulated private sector homes to help combat soaring energy bills and reduce emissions.
The national Warmer Homes scheme provides a range of fully-funded energy-improvements for households including insulation, heating controls, air source heat pumps and solar panels.
The funding is open to residents who rent in the private sector or own their own homes, with applications open until 31 May.
Who can apply
The Warmer Homes funding is particularly looking to help households living in low energy performance homes not heated by mains gas. This could mean that the home is heated by electricity, liquid petroleum gas (LPG), or heating oil.
The funding aims to support homes that are heated with electric, LPG or oil by offering low-carbon energy alternatives, contributing to both the government’s fuel poverty targets and the UK’s commitment to meet the net zero target by 2050.
To be eligible for the Warmer Homes scheme, households must live in properties with a D, E, F, or G energy performance rating and either:
- receive means tested benefits, or
- have a total annual income of £30,000 or less, or
- have a total annual income of £20,000 or less after housing mortgage or rent costs
Households can check the EPC of their property via the national EPC Register on the government website.
The national Warmer Homes Scheme is open until 31 May 2023 and residents can apply now through the Warmer Homes website.
Improving home energy efficiency
Councillor Siriol Hugh-Jones, Co-chair of the Housing Committee, said: “Improving energy efficiency in homes is a vital issue, with energy bills a major concern for so many households, while at the same time being a key way of reducing carbon emissions in the city.
“We’re in the process of setting up our own Brighton & Hove Warmer Homes Programme and will be announcing details in the next few months.
“In the meantime, this is a great opportunity for residents on low incomes and not on mains gas to make their homes more energy efficient.
“We’d really encourage anyone eligible to apply for the Warmer Homes funding ahead of the deadline.”
Fred Ellis, a beneficiary of the programme in Sussex, said: “I’m delighted with the solar panels I had fitted under the scheme. Top marks to the installers from Warmer Homes who worked in the dark to get it finished!”
The Warmer Homes programme is funded by the government’s Green Homes Grant Local Authority Delivery & Home Upgrade Grant schemes.
Find out more
You can find more information on the scheme and how to apply on the Warmer Homes website, calling 0800 038 5737 or emailing info@warmerhomes.org.uk.
