The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government-funded scheme delivered by Local
Authorities under the Warm Homes Plan. It provide grants for energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating to low-income households living in England to achieve energy bill savings and carbon savings. These upgrades will be open to all fuel types, including on gas. Funding can cover a number of improvements supporting a range of energy efficient measures in a single package.

Measures covered:

If you’re eligible and your local council has funding available, they will arrange a home survey to see how your home could be made more energy efficient. They might suggest improvements like installing:

• wall, loft and underfloor insulation
• air source heat pumps
• smart controls
• solar panels

Eligibility:

Income eligible:

• Live in an eligible postcode*
• OR be on a household income of <36,000
• OR someone in your household receives a means-tested benefits

In addition the property must be

• EPC rated D, E, F, or G

• Owned by the applicant or in the case of a tenanted property, the Landlord can make the application

Making an application:

Portsmouth City Council has applied for funding on behalf of a number local authorities including East Hampshire.

East Hampshire District:

To check eligibility and to join a application waiting list, see the Warmer Homes scheme link on the East Hampshire District Council website.

Chichester District:

For more information and application visit the Chichester District Council website.

Additional Useful Links:

• Warm Homes Plan Policy

• The Warm Homes: Local Grant including contact support

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to encourage property owners to install low carbon heating systems to replace their fossil fuel systems.
Available funding:

•    £7,500* towards the cost of supply and installation of an air source heat pump 
•    £7,500* towards the cost of supply and installation of a ground source heat pump
•    £5,000 towards the cost of supply and installation of a biomass boiler (off-gas grid properties in rural locations only)
•    £2,500 towards the cost of supply and installation of an air-to-air heat pump

*The government is set to increase this amount to £9000 when replacing existing oil or LPG  heating systems 

Eligibility:

•    Own your property including if you rent out to tenants

•    Self-build properties are included but there are some exclusions

•    New build properties currently being built cannot receive a grant but if you have moved in you may still be able to get a grant.

•    Installed system maximum capacity of 45kWth for individual heat pump or 70kWth where multiple heat pumps are installed

•    Have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation

•    Be replacing an existing fossil fuel heating system (oil, gas, LPG, or electric)

•    For biomass boilers, your boiler has an emissions certificate showing that polluting emissions are kept to a minimum

•    Must replace the whole system

•    Grants are not available for a Hybrid system (e.g. mix of gas boiler and heat pump system)

•    The installer used must be certified by the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) to be able to claim the grant.

•    Your installer must commission and install the heat pump within 120 days of applying for the grant or it will not be eligible. 

Making an application:

Installers apply for the grant on behalf of the resident; Ofgem is the scheme’s administrator. The installer should confirm you’re eligible for the grant and the grants should be shown on the quote and invoicing.

Aim to get a range of quotes from different installers for best value for money.  Talk to the energy advice team first to discuss your situation and questions for heat pump installers. 

Additional Useful Links:

• Boiler Upgrade Scheme information
• Ofgem information on Boiler Upgrade Scheme
• MCS website - useful information and installer check/search
• Get an Energy Performance Certificate for your home

The Smart Export Guarantee (SEG) is a government-backed initiative which provides the homeowner with a regular payment for surplus low-carbon electricity generated and exported to the National Grid.  

The amount you earn will vary from home to home. But based on an average solar installation of 3.5 kWp and at 15p per kWh export rate by your energy company, you can expect to earn a £100-£200 or more per year depending on your own domestic usage.

The Smart Export Guarantee replaced the Feed In Tariff scheme.  If you have an existing installation and you are looking to make changes, e.g. add more solar or batteries, then we would suggest you seek guidance on the Ofgem site. Some changes are notifiable both with Ofgem and your FIT licensee. There are some circumstances where you can receive both FIT generation payments and SEG payments.

Eligibility:

You generate electricity using one of the following technologies:

•    Solar photovoltaic (solar PV)

•    Wind turbine

•    Micro combined heat and power (micro-CHP)

•    Hydro

•    Anaerobic digestion (AD)

These installations must be located in Great Britain and have a total installed capacity (TIC) of no more than 5MW, or no more than 50kW for Micro-CHP.

Making an application:

You apply directly with your energy supplier. They must hold a current SEG license which can be checked on the Ofgem website. The rates of payment (tariffs) vary by electricity supplier, so you are advised to shop around to find a supplier that is best for your individual circumstances.  The tariff may be a fixed or variable.

Additional Useful Links:

•    OFGEM information on SEG 

•    Energy Saving Trust - SEG advice