Energy Efficiency Grants

Energy Efficiency Grants

We know that installing retrofit measures can sometimes be expensive. Click on the expandable boxes to find out more about the grant schemes on offer.

The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) scheme is designed to provide low-income households with fully funded energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating.  

HUG2 in Solihull is being delivered through £1.7 million of government funding.    

What you could get 

Homeowners could benefit from a range of free energy efficiency measures including insulation, solar panels, heating upgrades and more.   

These measures will help to reduce your energy bill, lower your carbon emissions, and make your home more comfortable.  

Eligibility 

You may be eligible for HUG2 if you are:  

  • A homeowner occupier  
  • Your property does not use a gas boiler as the main heating system  
  • You have a combined annual household income of under £36,000  
  • Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G 

How to apply 

Energy advice charity Act on Energy is supporting Solihull Council on the HUG2 programme and is the main point of contact for enquiries and applications.    

If you meet all of the above criteria, please contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk for the next steps.  

You can find out if your home has a valid EPC on the GOV.UK website.  

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 scheme grants support low-income households to lower energy bills and improve energy efficiency.  

ECO4 applies to measures installed from 1 April 2022 and will cover a four-year period until 31 March 2026.   

What you could get 

Eligible residents can apply to access a range of energy-saving measures, including loft insulation, wall insulation and upgraded heating measures.  

Eligibility 

To be eligible, you must live in a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G and: 

  • receive means-tested benefits, or 
  • your combined household income is less than £31,000 a year, or 
  • a household member has a health condition or disability that makes them vulnerable to the cold as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance. 

How to apply 

To find out more about the scheme, visit E.ON’s website or call E.ON’s free phoneline on 0333 202 4422. 

Energy suppliers can also refer households under ECO4 Flex, delivering up to 50% of their obligation through this method.  

Under ECO4 Flex, a participating local authority can refer private tenure households that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.  

Solihull’s ECO Flex Statement of Intent is designed to inform suppliers and contractors on how to fulfil their obligations. View Solihull Council's ECO Flex Statement here.  

If you want to find out more, please contact advice@actonenergy.org.uk  

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a government-funded energy efficiency scheme designed to help people insulate their homes and reduce energy bills.  

The scheme is available until March 2026. 

What you could get 

Those who qualify for the scheme may be able to get support to install one of the below single insulation measures for free or cheaper: 

  • cavity wall insulation 
  • solid wall insulation (internal or external) 
  • loft insulation 
  • flat or pitched roof insulation 
  • underfloor insulation 
  • solid floor insulation 
  • park home insulation 
  • room-in-roof insulation 

Your home’s suitability for the scheme and suggested measure will be assessed following a free home survey. 

Eligibility 

You may be eligible for support if: 

  • You are a homeowner or rent and have permission from your landlord 
  • Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D to G 
  • Your property is in Council Tax bands A to D 
  • You are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits 

Qualifying benefits include: 

  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance 
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) 
  • Income Support 
  • Pension Credit 
  • Guarantee Credit 
  • Working Tax Credit 
  • Child Tax Credit 
  • Universal Credit 
  • Housing Benefit 

How to apply 

If you meet all of the above criteria, please contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk.  

You can find out more information on Act On Energy’s website. 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides government grants for eligible homeowners to install low carbon heating systems. 

The grant could cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a low carbon alternative such as a heat pump or biomass boiler.  

Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas, electric or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas). 

What you could get 

You could 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 

Eligibility 

To be eligible for a grant, 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) 
  • be replacing fossil fuel heating systems 

Your property must also have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation. 

How to apply 

You can find out more information and how to apply on GOV.UK.