There are home improvement grants available through Somerset Council to support home energy efficiency measures for low income households. To find out more visit the Somerset Council website.
- Great British Insulation Scheme (formerly known as Eco+)
Unlike most grants this government grant is not means tested, and is available to residential properties with an EPC rating of D or below, and in council tax band A-D. There is no upper limit to the amount you might be granted depending on the work that needs doing- so it may be possible to fund more expensive measures such as solid wall insulation through this scheme. Social Housing or private tenants who are eligible for this funding will require the landlords permission to get works done ( private landlords have a legal obligation to say yes if the works are fully grant funded.)
Eligibility checker and link to apply are here https://www.gov.uk/apply-great-british-insulation-scheme
- Increase to heat pump grants – Boiler Upgrade Scheme
There is now a 50% increase to the Boiler Upgrade Scheme meaning households will be able to get up to £7,500 towards the cost of installing a heat pump- although the gov website hasn’t been updated yet to reflect the increase. It’s important to note that for a heat pump to work well, and be affordable, your house needs to be well insulated. Households with an EPC below C are not eligible for the grant. The best thing to do before considering a heat pump is get an independent retrofit assessment done – and luckily FTC can now provide these assessments free of charge to Frome residents!
See here for details on the Boiler upgrade Scheme
See here for details of FTC’s retrofit offering
- Means tested grants for energy efficiency and boiler upgrades
Means tested grants are available for households with a combined annual income of £31k or less, or in receipt of certain benefits. Grants available to low income households include ECO4 and the Home Upgrade Grant for off-gas properties. To find out if you are eligible and for referral to these schemes contact the Centre for Sustainable Energy on 0800 038 5730
Somerset Council awards a limited number of Safe, Warm and Secure Grants. The maximum grant available is £15,000. Enquire with Somerset Independence Plus at Somindplus@somerset.gov.uk for eligibility, conditions and more details.
- Low interest loans
If you aren’t eligible for grants or you need to top up a grant, Lendology is a council- backed not for profit loan scheme offering low interest loans for home improvements. https://www.lendology.org.uk/apply-now/
Somerset Council are working in partnership with social enterprise Lendology CIC, to provide council-funded loans to homeowners for improving the energy efficiency of properties. Lendology have loans available to use on repairs, improvements, energy efficiency and renewable energy measures. To find out more you can call Lendology on 01823 461099 or visit the Lendology website.
You may also be eligible for Government grants to support home insulation and renewable technologies. To find out which schemes are currently available, contact the Centre for Sustainable Energy’s free advice line on 0800 082 2234.
You can also find out more about the scheme by contacting Resilience Manager Nikki Brain or visiting the Somerset Council website.
