Energy Efficiency Grants

Worcester City Council is working with a variety of partners both locally and nationally to help residents access a range of grants and services to help improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme: Phase 2

Worcester City Council has been awarded funding under the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme. This funding is designed to assist households on low incomes whose properties are not heated through the mains gas network. We hope to have further news on how to make applications soon.

Sustainable Warmth Competition (SWC)

The Sustainable Warmth Competition is comprised of two funding streams, the Local Authority Delivery Scheme (LADS) - Phase 3 and the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) - Phase 1. The LAD Scheme is designed for low-income households whose properties are heated from the mains gas network, whereas the HUG Scheme is designed for low-income households where the primary source of heating is not from the mains gas grid. Unfortunately, applications are now closed for these schemes, but we hope to have news about future funding in early 2023.

Local Authority Delivery Scheme: Phases 1, 1b and 2

Between August 2020 and September 2022 Worcester City Council bid for and won just over £1 million to install energy efficiency measures in homes across the city. Energy efficiency measures have been installed to improve 130 homes in total.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

The Energy Company Obligation is a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.

The scheme has seen 4 iterations, ECO, ECO1, ECO2 and ECO3, a brief overview can be found at the bottom of this page. The ECO3 scheme closed on 31 March 2022 and the ECO4 Order came into force in July 2022. ECO4 applies to measures installed from 1 April 2022 and will cover a four-year period until 31 March 2026.

The ECO scheme works by placing a Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) on medium and large energy suppliers. Under HHCRO, obligated suppliers must promote measures that improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes. This includes actions that result in reduced energy usage, such as installing insulation or upgrading a heating system. The overall target for these measures is divided between suppliers based on their relative share of the domestic gas and electricity market.

The scheme would benefit those needing requiring energy efficiency improvements and either own their own home or have permission form the landlord. You could be eligible if you receive one of the following benefits, Child Benefit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), Income Support, Tax Credits (Child Tax Credits and Working Tax Credits), Universal Credit, Housing benefit or Pension credit saving credit. Local authorities and energy suppliers can also directly refer customers to the scheme under the ECO Flex.

Local energy charity Act on Energy supports Worcestershire County Council in the running of the ECO scheme. To confirm your eligibility and make an application please get in contact with Act on Energy  or 0800 988 2881

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides grants to property owners to install low-carbon heating systems such as heat pumps. 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.

You’re eligible for a grant if all the following are true. You must:

• own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants)
• have installed (or plan to install) your new heating system on or after 1 April 2022
• be replacing fossil fuel heating systems (such as oil, gas or electric)
• Your property must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.

You’re still eligible if you’ve already had funding to make your property more energy efficient, for example by insulating it.

To apply

• Contact suitable MCS certified installers to get quotes for the work.
• Confirm you’re eligible (your installer will tell you).
• Agree a quote with your chosen installer.

The installer will apply on your behalf on the Ofgem website.

The value of the grant will be taken off the amount you pay for installation.