HUG2 energy efficiency grant

The Home Upgrade Grant, HUG2, is a new government-funded grant scheme to fund energy-saving upgrades for residents with off-grid gas heating systems who are most likely to be impacted by the high cost of energy bills. If your home was cold last winter and you struggled to pay your bills, you might be eligible.

This could help you to use less energy, reduce your carbon footprint and spend less on your energy bills.

 

Eligibility criteria

The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is open to home-owners and private tenants in:

• homes not heated by mains gas, which includes oil, coal, LPG or only electric heating,
  and
• households with a combined annual income of less than £36,000 or receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit,
  and
• hard to heat homes - this is based on your home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) - you will be helped with this part of the assessment and receive a free EPC assessment if you do not have one already

You must fit all three of the criteria above to be eligible.

Landlords who have four or fewer properties will be able to apply and will be required to contribute at least one third of the cost of the upgrades in addition to the funding provided. This will be agreed before work begins.

You can find out more about the scheme on the HUG website.

 

How will it help?

You may be offered energy saving improvements to help cut your energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions. These could include:

• insulation and ventilation upgrades (to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer)
• a low carbon heating system such as an air source heat pump (which will mean upgrading any existing heating system)
• heating controls which make sure you only use heat when you need it
• an energy efficient hot water solution to keep your water warm for longer
• solar panels (PV) to generate electricity
• energy efficient lighting which is cheaper to run

A survey will identify what is suitable for your home and you'll get a free updated EPC assessment.

 

How to apply

HUG2 funding is now open to private tenants, landlords and home-owners. Whilst this government-funded scheme is advertised as being available until March 2025, the Managing Agent for our area, Agility Eco, will not be accepting new applications beyond 30 September 2024. This is to help support the successful delivery of the scheme for applicants in time for the end of March 2025.

You can find out more and apply on the HUG website, or by calling Agility Eco on 0800 107 8883.
 

You can also contact the council's Energy and Carbon team at Energymanagement@westberks.gov.uk to find out more.