With decarbonisation and the race to net zero at the top of the government agenda, there are many grant opportunities now available to help with your energy efficiency projects. Our latest blog will take you through some of the grant options open to you before you decide on the way forward.
Have you heard you might be eligible for funding to help improve the energy efficiency of your home but can’t find any more information? This is a comprehensive guide of the schemes that are currently active across the UK covering:
- What the eligibility criteria area
- What you can receive under the scheme
- Who to contact if you are eligible
At Furbnow, we aim to help all customers find the best route to improve your home energy efficiency. We hope this guide helps to demystify the current landscape. If you’re not eligible for any funding, we would be delighted to support you in improving your home’s energy efficiency. The first step is a Home Energy Plan.
Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF)
Eligibility
- Social Tenant
- England
- EPC D,E,F,G
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund is allocated to social housing landlords to undertake large energy efficiency projects on individual homes. It covers several upgrades to heating, including new heating systems, energy efficient doors and windows and upgraded insulation.
Who do I contact?
Contact your social housing landlord to find out whether your home has been included in Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund project.
Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2)
Eligibility
- Homeowner, Private tenant, Social tenant
- England and Wales
- HHI less than £40,000
- EPC D-G
- No - connected to mains gas
Grant funding is available for citizens without mains gas to receive energy efficiency measures in their home. You will need to have an EPC D-G for your property.
If you're a tenant in a privately let home, your will be eligible for funding but your landlord will need to contribute 1/3 of the cost of the energy efficiency measures.
If you have a social landlord, they will need to contribute 50% of the costs.
Your home will be assessed to make sure the right energy efficiency measure is selected for your home.
Who do I contact?
Search for "Home Upgrade Grant + your local authority" - there will be a webpage by your local authority that will provide the correct contact information for your home.
You can find more details at https://homeupgradehub.org.uk/
Great Britain Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Eligibility
Low income group:
Social tenant, private tenant or Homeowner
England, Scotland, Wales
Yes - receiving benefits
EPC D-G
Received energy efficiency funding before: No
General Group
Social tenant, private tenant or Homeowner
EPC D-G
Received energy efficiency funding before: No
England
Council tax band: A,B,C,D
Scotland
Council tax band: A,B,C,D,E
Wales
Council tax band: A,B,C
The GB Insulation Scheme is designed to help householders across the country improve the energy efficiency of their home and reduce their energy bills. £1billion is available over the next 3 years.
Your home will be assessed to make sure the right energy efficiency measure is selected for your home.
Who do I contact?
Contact your energy supplier directly to declare your interest in the scheme.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
Eligibility criteria
- Owner Occupier, Private tenant
- England or Wales
- Looking to install a heat pump
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to help homeowners and landlords to replace existing fossil fuel heating with more efficient, low carbon heating systems including air source heat pumps, ground source heat pumps and, in limited circumstances, biomass boilers.
You can get:
- £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
- £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler
Who do I contact?
Find an MCS accredited installer - they will complete the paperwork for you and ensure the grant is added to your project.
Home Energy Scotland (HES)
Eligibility criteria
- Homeowner
- Based in Scotland
If you have trouble heating your home you could get funding for energy saving improvements. This could help make your home warmer and reduce your energy bills. You're eligible for a grant for up to £7,500 each to install energy efficiency improvements or zero emission heating improvements.
You're also eligible to apply for an optional £7,500 interest free loan.
If you live in a rural household, you can claim increased grants of up to £9,000.
If you are building your own home, you can apply for a loan for renewable energy systems but not for energy saving improvements.
Who do I contact?
Contact Home Energy Scotland either by phone or completing a form (https://www.homeenergyscotland.org/funding/grants-loans/) and someone will phone you back:
Phone: 0808 808 2282 - Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm. Saturday 9am to 5pm
Affordable Warmth Scheme (Northern Ireland)
Eligibility criteria
- Homeowner or private tenant
- Northern Ireland
- Household income below £30k
The Affordable Warmth Scheme, which is available in Northern Ireland only, helps homeowners with a household income below £23k to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
Your home will be assessed to make sure the right energy efficiency measure is selected for your home.
If you have a landlord, they will need to agree to pay 50% of the scheme.
Who do I contact?
Contact your local council or the Social Security Agency to declare your interest in the scheme.
Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme
Eligibility criteria
- Northern Ireland
- Homeowner, private tenant, social tenant
- Household income below £40k
The full list of schemes which may be in your area are listed here (https://energysavingtrust.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/NISEP-List-of-Schemes-2023-2024.pdf)
Who do I contact?
Contact the Northern Ireland Energy Advice service online, or call freephone 0800 111 4455 to discuss with an energy advisor.
Not Eligible
If you do not meet the criteria for any of the grant programs mentioned above, there is still hope. You can start by obtaining a Home Energy Plan from Furbnow to gather information on improving the energy efficiency of your home.
There are numerous grant funding opportunities available across the UK to help homeowners and tenants enhance the energy efficiency of their homes. These programs aim to reduce energy bills, create warmer homes, and contribute to a more sustainable future. To determine your eligibility and access these grants, use the provided contact information and get started on your journey towards a more energy-efficient home.
We aim to keep this information up-to-date with the latest information. Please note the date last updated as the scheme may have changed.
Last updated: 31st January 2024
