The Home Upgrade Grant, secured by Cheshire West and Chester Council from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, is available to eligible properties which are not heated by mains gas. Typically, the main heating source for these properties will be electric, Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG), oil or solid fuel.

Households will need to apply for the funding and the measures installed could include such things as external and internal wall insulation, loft insulation, under-floor insulation, air source heat pumps, single glazed window and door upgrades, high heat retention electric storage heaters and solar panels.

To be eligible to apply for the funding households must meet the following criteria.

• Have an annual combined household income of £30,000 (gross) or less per year (there is some flexibility on household income if there are children in the household) or be in receipt of a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit Guarantee, Income-Related Employment and Support Allowance, Income-Related Job Seeker’s Allowance, Tax Credits (Child/Working) and Income Support
• You must be a homeowner or private tenant (tenants must have their landlord’s approval to apply)
• Your property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) is Band E, F or G. If your property does not have a current EPC, we can arrange one for you if you qualify for the scheme.

All energy efficiency measures are fully funded for homeowners. Eligible private tenants can apply with their landlord’s approval. In the case of a tenanted property the landlord is required to make a minimum one-third contribution.

The improvements must increase your home’s EPC rating by at least two bands to qualify. For example, if your home is currently a band F or G it will need to reach band D, and if your property is currently band E it should reach band C.

To apply for the grant online visit:https://www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/residents/energy/home-energy/council-schemes