Eligibility criteria widened on grants on offer to make energy saving home improvements for hundreds of residents using off-gas heating
Housing12 June 2024
More residents with off-gas heating systems across North Northamptonshire are being urged to apply for a grant aimed at providing energy-saving upgrades to their homes.
Earlier this year North Northamptonshire Council announced the availability of the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2), a scheme aimed at providing energy-saving upgrades to residents with off-gas heating systems.
The household income threshold has now increased to £36,000, up from £31,000, to ensure that more families can benefit from this initiative.
The HUG2 program offers free-of-charge energy-saving improvements that will not only keep homes warm but may also help residents manage their heating bills efficiently. Whether you own your home, privately rent, or are a private landlord with tenants, you may qualify to apply.
The grant is available to households meeting specific criteria, including not being heated by mains gas, having a combined annual income of less than £31,000 (this will increase to £36,000 after 2 April 2024), and having a home that an Energy Performance Certificate declares as ‘hard to heat.’
Landlords are also encouraged to apply, under conditions detailed further below.
The scheme aims to phase out the use of fossil fuel heating, supporting the UK's 2050 Net Zero commitment and promoting household health and well-being through the reduction of cold homes.
Eligibility criteria:
The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is open to homeowners and private tenants in:
- Homes not heated by mains gas which includes oil, coal, LPG or only electric heating.
And
- Households with a combined annual income of less than £36,000 OR receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit OR you live in an Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) area. You can check your postcode or call 0800 107 8883.
And
- Hard to heat homes – this is based on your home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You will be helped with this part of the assessment and receive a free EPC assessment if you do not have one already.
Landlords, who have four or fewer properties, will be able to apply and will be required to contribute at least one third of the cost of the upgrades in addition to the funding provided. This will be agreed before work begins.
How will it help?
You may be offered energy saving improvements to help cut your energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions.
These could include:
- Insulation and ventilation upgrades (to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer).
- A low carbon heating system such as an air source heat pump (which will mean upgrading any existing heating system).
- Heating controls which make sure you only use heat when you need it.
- An energy efficient hot water solution to keep your water warm for longer.
- Solar panels (PV) to generate electricity.
- Energy efficient lighting which is cheaper to run.
A survey will identify what is suitable for your individual home and you’ll get a free updated EPC assessment.
To apply for the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 and find out more, you can find details online or call 0800 107 8883. Applications are open until March 2025.
Agility Eco, a specialist company appointed by North Northamptonshire Council, will manage all energy-improvement works on behalf of residents. For direct enquiries or assistance, please contact Agility Eco by calling Agility Eco on 0800 107 8883.