Home Upgrade grant coming to an end, don't miss out

With energy prices continuing to be unpredictable Wiltshire Council is encouraging eligible residents to apply for a retrofit scheme by 27th September, which will help households improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The council is working with a specialist contractor, EDF and 0800 Repair to retrofit up to 86 homes in the county with measures to increase energy efficiency as part of the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 scheme.

The funding will allow the council to support retrofitting owner-occupied and privately rented homes that are not connected to mains gas and have an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of band D-G, subject to household income levels.

Over a number of weeks Wiltshire Council, EDF and 0800 Repair have been working together to identify potentially eligible households to participate in the scheme. To be eligible, households must be off-gas domestic properties and either:

• Owner-occupied by those on a low income (defined as having an annual gross household income of less than £36,000 (or living in specific postcode areas where data shows it is low income) who will not be required to contribute to the costs of upgrade.
• Private landlords who own four or fewer rental properties and have low-income tenants. Landlords are required to make a minimum contribution of one third towards the total cost of works, in line with the scheme’s cost caps.
• Households can check if they are eligible and apply at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/hug. To ensure works can be carried out by the funding deadline and to make use of the funding available, people are encouraged to apply by 27 September.

 Cllr Dominic Muns, Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment, said: “We don’t want people to miss out on this opportunity so we have been working hard with our partners, EDF and 0800 Repair, to identify households we think might be eligible.

 “This is a government funded scheme that stipulates that properties need to be identified and work complete by the end of the current financial year so we’re keen for anyone who might be eligible to visit our website or get in touch as soon as possible to find out more.

 “With confirmation that energy prices are set to rise again, this project is a unique opportunity to help those on low incomes in off-gas domestic properties access energy efficiency measures free of charge which will likely save them money in the long run and also contribute towards the county’s climate goals.

 “I encourage anyone who may be eligible for this funding to register their interest to find out more about the retrofits EDF Energy can make to their household free of charge. This is also a fantastic opportunity for landlords who own four or fewer rental properties and have low-income tenants, as these landlords only need to pay one third of the total cost of works that will increase the energy efficiency and longevity of their properties”.

Dan Hopcroft, EDF Zero Carbon Homes Director, said “The scheme is moving forward at pace, and we’re keen for as many eligible people as possible to benefit from a home that is more energy efficient and affordable to keep warm, so please make sure you get your application in before the close date of 27 September.”

A whole house retrofit considers each house looking at the building structure, the heating and hot water requirements, ventilation and the needs of the people living in the property to establish the correct energy efficiency measures to implement for that individual property.

Some of the changes to retrofit a property could include:

• Energy efficiency measures such as wall and loft insulation.
• Low-carbon heating options such as heat pumps.
• Renewable technologies such as solar panels.
• Smart measures such as smart heating controls.

For more information including all the eligibility criteria, and to apply, visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/hug or www.edfenergy.com/energy-efficiency/home-upgrade-grant-scheme