If you’re struggling to keep your home warm or to afford your energy bills, you might be able to take advantage of certain grants and support offered by the government and energy suppliers.
See also our Here to Help page giving information on help and support including benefits and financial help, employment, housing and mental health
Mayor of London – Warmer Homes programme
The Mayor of London’s Warmer Homes programme provides free heating, insulation and ventilation improvements to low-income residents who own their own homes or rent privately.
Those living in the coldest and least efficient properties may be eligible for up to £25,000 of grant funding to cover the installation of efficiency measures, such as low carbon heating systems, insulation, and heat pumps.
You may be eligible if:
- the occupants of the home have a combined total annual household income of less than £30,000 per year OR a total household income of less than £20,000 per year after tax, National Insurance, mortgage or rent costs and council tax.
- you receive benefits
- you own or rent your home
- your property has a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band D, E, F or G. If your property has never had an EPC survey, then this can be done through the scheme
The amount of funding available is dependent on the tenure, existing energy efficiency rating and current fuel type (i.e., gas, electricity, oil, or LPG) of the property.
Private landlords may apply for a grant on behalf of tenants who meet the eligibility criteria. Landlords with properties heated by electricity may be eligible for funding up to £13,333 to cover two-thirds of energy efficiency work. This means you can get up to £20,000 worth of measures installed for a maximum contribution of £6,667. Private rental properties heated with gas from the grid are eligible for funding of up to £5,000.
There are several options available if applicants qualify for the programme including:
- heat pumps
- insulation for walls, lofts, and floors
- heating system improvements or repairs
- draught proofing
- solar energy installations
Applicants need to provide information showing they are (or their tenant is) eligible and details about the property. If the application is successful, a survey will be needed to work out which improvements are most suitable.
All surveys and installations are managed by RetrofitWorks. They provide a dedicated contact who helps explain what improvements are most suitable and ensures that work is carried out to a high standard. All work undertaken will be in accordance with current Government Retrofit standards (PAS 2035.2019) and will be carried out by Trustmark-registered installers for your peace of mind.
The scheme is currently open with funds being distributed on a first-come-first-served basis.
Find out more about the Warmer Homes scheme
How to apply
Apply for the Warmer Homes scheme here
Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) project
We have partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) and Everwarm to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to homes through the local Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG 2) project.
HUG2 is a government-funded scheme that aims to improve the energy efficiency of homes across England. One hundred percent funding is available for eligible householders who own their property.
The scheme can fund energy efficiency improvements including:
- wall, loft and floor insulation
- low carbon heating
- solar panels
Find out if you are eligible and make an initial application on the Everwarm website.
SHINE London
Haringey has partnered with the SHINE London energy advice service to help residents keep well and warm and reduce the anxiety of paying for large fuel bills.
Referrals are accepted for any vulnerable resident but particularly important are:
- those aged over 65
- those with respiratory or cardiovascular disease
- those with other long term limiting illness
- low income families with children
- households spending 10% or more of their income on energy
Following a discussion with a Shine London representative, vulnerable residents can benefit from services including:
- advice on saving energy and grants available for heating and insulation
- support with bills and energy debt
- 'Energy Doctor in the Home' home visiting service
- benefit checks
- falls assessments
- telecare applications
- fire safety checks (from London Fire Brigade)
- home security checks (from the police)
- air quality alerts for people with respiratory diseases (from airTEXT)
- stop smoking services
- London Taxicard
Contact SHINE
You can make a referral to Shine online by visiting the Shine website.
Alternatively:
- telephone: 0300 555 0195
- email: contact@shine-london.org.uk
Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme to help reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. There are two streams to this funding:
The affordable warmth obligation
This provides help for people who might be vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home, like pensioners or young children. You are eligible under this aspect of ECO if you receive at least one of the following benefits and satisfy the relevant income requirements, where applicable:
- Income-related employment and support allowance (ESA)
- Income-based jobseeker’s allowance (JSA)
- Income support
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Tax Credits (on certain conditions)
- Universal Credit (on certain conditions)
There is also a Flexible Eligibility element. This allows the council to set criteria to direct assistance towards local private sector homes at risk of fuel poverty, but falling outside of the normal rules of ECO.
For assistance to apply for this funding please contact Shine London.
Carbon emissions reduction obligation
Your energy supplier could help you financially with:
- insulating solid walls that might need cladding on either the inside or outside (usually on older buildings)
- cavity wall insulation for homes built after the 1930s
- loft insulation
- connections to district heating systems
- double glazing
- draught proofing
Contact the Energy Saving Advice Service in England on 0300 123 1234 if you have questions about the scheme and whether you are eligible.