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Warm Homes Explained
Following the furore over the changes to the Winter Fuel Payments, the government has announced funding to support energy efficiency improvements in low-income homes. Local authorities can express an interest in participating from October 2024, enabling them to plan for effective retrofit of all eligible homes in their area.
What is the Warm Homes: Local Grant?
Provided via local authorities, the Warm Homes: Local Grant will essentially offer low income households up to £15,000 to improve their energy efficiency and/or decarbonise. It will benefit households that:
- are in England
- are low income
- are privately owned or rented
- have an Energy Performance Certificate between D and G
The funding covers energy performance and low carbon heating measures such as insulation, solar panels and air source heat pumps. The upgrades will be tailored to each home as necessary, with occupants not needing to contribute to them. Delivery of the upgrades is due to start in September 2025.
What about social housing?
Those in social housing can look forward to upgrades under Wave 3 of the Warm Homes: Social Housing Fund (WH: SHF). Previously known as the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF), this aims to bring the Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) of a significant amount of social housing to band C. Local authorities must apply for funding through either the Challenge Fund or Strategic Partnership. Applications for WH: SHF close on 25 November, and delivery of the upgrades is expected to run between April 2025 and September 2028.
How can local authorities participate?
The application window for the WH:SHF is currently open, and closes at midday on 25 November 2024. Applications must be submitted via the government portal.
Local authorities wanting to apply for the Warm Homes: Local Grant are advised to refer to the government’s guidance document for information on the design, delivery model and eligibility measures. When the expression of interest window opens, qualifying local authorities can complete a form in order to be allocated funding.
What are the benefits of these schemes?
These schemes will have significant benefits for low income households, creating a warmer environment for occupants and reducing their energy bills. The installation of low carbon heating measures such as air source heat pumps will also help the government to achieve its Net Zero target and deliver cleaner air across England. In addition, the programs are expected to support green jobs and boost the retrofit sector.
How can Aura Heating help?
These programs are hugely welcomed by us at Aura Heating, and will enable the continuation of energy performance upgrades to the private housing and social housing sectors via local authorities.
If you represent a local authority and plan to access these funding streams, please reach out to us to learn more about how we can help with retrofit assessment, design, installation, and coordination. Our experts are MCS certified air source heat pump specialists and solar panel installers, and cover Hampshire, Surrey, Dorset, Sussex, Berkshire, South London and surrounding areas.
