Home energy

We are taking expressions of interest for the new Warm Homes Local Grant scheme that will run from April 2025.

The scheme is managed and administrated by Herefordshire Council's Warm Homes Local Grant team. Between 2025 and 2028, this scheme is funded by the UK Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).

About the scheme

The Warm Homes Local Grant scheme is designed to fully fund energy saving improvements to Herefordshire homes.

The scheme targets this funding to homes that are the least efficient, and households that are the most vulnerable to rising energy costs and the health implications of living in a home that is hard to heat.

This type of scheme is sometimes called a 'retrofit' scheme, 'retrofit' means installing new energy saving improvements to buildings to make them warmer and more affordable to heat, for example by installing insulation to trap warmth in the home.

Grants are available for energy saving improvements, including insulation improvements (for example loft and wall insulation), first-time double glazing and doors, solar PV panels, and clean heat measures (including air source heat pumps).

Why apply

Every home is unique and some lose heat quickly, making it harder to stay warm in the cold months. By installing energy saving improvements such as insulation, your home will not lose as much heat through windows, doors, roof and walls.

Your home will warm up faster and stay warm for longer.

Energy saving improvements will reduce the amount of energy needed to heat and power your home, making it easier to keep warm and comfortable at home.

With improved energy efficiency, your home will use less energy to heat and power it. Improvements installed under this scheme will be chosen to maximise energy bill savings. Whether you will pay less will depend on energy prices.

Eligibility

To qualify for the grant you need to meet one of the following criteria:

1. Eligible postcodes

The household is in a valid postcode that falls within Income Deciles 1-2 of the Indices of Multiple Deprivation and is eligible providing the household meets the energy efficiency rating of D-G and meets other criteria. This will be checked during the application process.

2a. Means-tested benefit

Households in receipt of means-tested benefits (including Housing Benefit, JSA, ESA, Income Support, Pension Credit (savings and guarantee), Universal Credit. The recipient of the qualifying benefit must be a permanent adult resident of the property. To progress through the grant scheme you'll need to provide evidence of your benefit entitlement at a later stage.

2b. Flexible criteria

Households that meet a combination of at least two of the following:

• Receive a Council Tax reduction on grounds of low income (not a Council Tax discount or exemption)
• Have a long-term health condition and/or disability that's affected by a cold home
• Receive free school meals

You will need to provide evidence of your entitlement.

3. Household income threshold

Households not in receipt of government benefits can still qualify for grants if their gross annual household income is below £36,000 per year. Remember to include the income of all adults who are permanently resident at home. The income threshold is inclusive of tax. Income should include that from employment, rental payments, pensions and investments. Residents in receipt of personal independence payment (PIP), disability living allowance (DLA) or carers/attendance allowance can discount these payments from their household income. You'll be asked to provide evidence of your household income to support your claim.

If you're unsure about how to calculate your household income, please contact the Warm Homes Local Grant team on 01432 260401 or email WarmHomesLocalGrant@herefordshire.gov.uk

You will need to provide evidence of your household income.

More information about the eligibility criteria.

Apply for the grant scheme

Complete the Warm Homes Local Grant expression of interest form

Once you've submitted your form, it will be reviewed by the Warm Homes Local Grant team, who will contact you in due course.

For details on how we store and process your personal information, please read our privacy notice.

What happens next

If it looks like you are eligible, a member of the Warm Homes team will arrange a mutually convenient time to visit you to complete the full application form with you.

As well as your household being eligible, we must also:

• Check that your home is suitable for upgrades
• Ensure the cost of completing the works doesn't exceed the funding limits
• Make sure there is enough funding left to pay for the upgrades

The Warm Homes team will keep you updated on progress and timescales.

View the timeline of the scheme

The timeline contains more detailed information about each stage in the process.

If you are approached by another company that offer a similar scheme

You may receive phone calls, letters or emails offering this type of scheme to you. Please ensure you are dealing with Herefordshire Council's Warm Homes Local Grant team, to ensure you are taking part in the official scheme with full guarantees and quality standards.

If you have any concerns about whether you are taking part in the Herefordshire Council scheme, please contact us.