Energy Efficiency Grants
We know that installing retrofit measures can sometimes be expensive. Click on the expandable boxes to find out more about the grant schemes on offer.
The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is a Government-funded scheme designed to provide low-income households with fully funded energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating.
What you could get
Homeowners could benefit from a range of free energy efficiency measures including insulation, solar panels, heating upgrades and more.
These measures will help to reduce your energy bill, lower your carbon emissions, and make your home more comfortable.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for HUG2 if you are:
- A homeowner occupier
- Your property does not use a gas boiler as the main heating system
- You have a combined annual household income of under £36,000
- Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G
You may also be automatically eligible if your postcode falls in one of the automatically eligible areas as defined by the Government.
How to apply
Energy advice charity Act on Energy is supporting Solihull Council on the HUG2 programme and is the main point of contact for enquiries and applications.
If you meet all of the above criteria, please contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk for the next steps, or visit their website for further information.
You can find out if your home has a valid EPC on the GOV.UK website.
Watch the video case study with Kate, a resident in Shirley, to find out her experience of HUG2 and how she has benefitted.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 scheme grants support to low-income households to lower energy bills and improve energy efficiency.
ECO4 applies to measures installed from 1 April 2022 and will cover a four-year period until 31 March 2026.
What you could get
Eligible residents can apply to access a range of energy-saving measures, including loft insulation, wall insulation and upgraded heating systems.
Eligibility
To be eligible, you must live in a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F, or G and:
- receive means-tested benefits, or
- your combined household income is less than £31,000 a year, or
- a household member has a health condition or disability that makes them vulnerable to the cold as identified in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) Guidance.
How to apply
To find out more about the scheme, visit E.ON’s website or call E.ON’s free phoneline on 0333 202 4422.
Energy suppliers can also refer households under ECO4 Flex, delivering up to 50% of their obligation through this method.
Under ECO4 Flex, a participating local authority can refer private tenure households that it considers to be living in fuel poverty or on a low income and vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home.
Solihull’s ECO Flex Statement of Intent is designed to inform suppliers and contractors on how to fulfil their obligations. View Solihull Council's ECO Flex Statement here.
If you want to find out more, please contact advice@actonenergy.org.uk
The Great British Insulation Scheme is a government-funded energy efficiency scheme designed to help people insulate their homes and reduce energy bills.
The scheme is available until March 2026.
What you could get
Those who qualify for the scheme may be able to get support to install one of the below single insulation measures for free or cheaper:
- cavity wall insulation
- solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- loft insulation
- flat or pitched roof insulation
- underfloor insulation
- solid floor insulation
- park home insulation
- room-in-roof insulation
Your home’s suitability for the scheme and suggested measure will be assessed following a free home survey.
Eligibility
You may be eligible for support if:
- You are a homeowner or rent and have permission from your landlord
- Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D to G
- Your property is in Council Tax bands A to D
- You are in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits
Qualifying benefits include:
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Guarantee Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
How to apply
If you meet all of the above criteria, please contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk.
You can find out more information on Act On Energy’s website.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides government grants for eligible homeowners to install low carbon heating systems.
The grant could cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a low carbon alternative such as a heat pump or biomass boiler.
Fossil fuel heating systems include oil, gas, electric or LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
What you could get
You could get:
- £7,500 towards an air source heat pump
- £7,500 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on shared ground loops)
- £5,000 towards a biomass boiler
Eligibility
To be eligible for a grant, you must:
- own the property you’re applying for (including if it’s a business, a second home, or a property you rent out to tenants)
- be replacing fossil fuel heating systems
Your property must also have a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with no outstanding recommendations for loft or cavity wall insulation.
How to apply
You can find out more information and how to apply on GOV.UK.
The Government has provided Solihull £1.4m for the fifth round of the Household Support Fund, which will run until 30 September 2024.
In collaboration with partners, Solihull Council is making some of this funding available to support residents with energy costs and help them to make energy-efficiency upgrades to their home.
What you could get
Through our partner Act on Energy, you could receive:
- Upgrades to improve the energy efficiency of your home and reduce fuel bills
- Heating installation/repairs/replacement/servicing
- An updated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)
- Advice and information on retrofitting your home
- Fuel vouchers of up to £147 per household
Through our partner Age UK, you could receive:
- Support with keeping warm in winter
- Central heating servicing and repairs
- Fuel debt relief of up to £500 per household
Through Solihull Council, you could receive:
- Payments of up to £147 to help towards your energy costs
As well as energy support, the Fund also helps those most in need with support ranging from the cost of essentials, urgent household items, and access to food. Further detail is available on the Council’s Here 2 Help page.
Eligibility
To be eligible for support offered through Act on Energy and Age UK, you must:
- Live in Solihull
- Have a combined annual household income of under £31,000
- Have no household savings (pensioners can have up to £5,000 in savings per pensioner)
- Have someone living in the household with a vulnerability*
- Be in receipt of one of the qualifying benefits
Qualifying benefits include:
- State Pension
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit
- Pension credit guarantee
- Working Tax credit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment
Eligibility for support through Solihull Council is based on ongoing entitlements, income, and who else lives in the household.
How to apply
For support through Act on Energy, please contact Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881 or advice@actonenergy.org.uk.
*You can find out more information on Act on Energy’s website.
For support through Age UK, please contact Age UK on 0121 709 7590 or admin@solihullcommunityhub.org.uk.
For support through the Financial Inclusion Team at Solihull Council, please contact 0121 704 6202 or email financialinclusion@solihull.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can make an online application here, or contact Solihull Connect on 0121 704 8284.
Please note, applications will be cross-referenced to determine the most suitable method of support.