The Home Upgrade Grant can be used by those looking to improve their home's energy efficiency, but are struggling to fund it. We guide you through how to access it
Homeowners can access the Home Upgrade Grant through eligible local councils as long as they meet certain criteria(Image credit: Getty Images)
The Home Upgrade Grant can help homeowners make energy-efficient upgrades to their home with the help of government funding.
The scheme provides local councils with funding to help existing off-the-grid housing stocks, that cannot afford the improvements themselves, reduce their carbon footprints.
Here we guide you through what the funding can be used for, help see if you're eligible, and how you can apply to your local council to help gain funding if you're looking at renovating a house.
What is the Home Upgrade Grant for?
This grant is for non-mains gas heating systems and aims to provide energy-efficiency upgrades and low-carbon heating solutions for low-income households living in the least energy-efficient homes.
This is in addition to other government schemes such as the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, which provides £7,500 towards the installation of a heat pump.
Improving a home's loft insulation and ventilation can form part of the upgrades homeowners can make under the scheme (Image credit: Getty Images)
How does the scheme work?
Local authorities are allocated a set amount of funding for the Home Upgrade Grant to provide improvements to housing in their areas.
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Homeowners can apply to their council to receive the funding to make improvements to their homes to increase their energy efficiency and save on house renovation costs.
In order to find your local council the Gov.uk has a portal to each council's website so you can easily get in contact with the correct authority.
Who can apply for the Home Upgrade Grant?
In order to qualify for the scheme, homes must meet a certain set criteria or else their applications will most likely not be considered.
This criteria includes:
The home must be off the gas grid
The gross household income must be below £31,000 per year
The home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G
If you meet these criteria, you can contact your local council to acquire funding.
A list of the eligible local councils can be found on the Gov.uk website.
How long will the Home Upgrade Grant run for?
Up to £630 million in grant funding has been allocated to support eligible local authorities in their implementation of the Home Upgrade Grant spanning from April 2023 to March 2025.
This funding will be spread out to qualifying local councils annually with set amounts given each year during 2023-2024 and 2024-2025.
Once this funding runs out for these years there is no guarantee more will be available in the future, so eligible homeowners should apply as soon as possible.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
