Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) is a government scheme that provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating for homes via local authority funding. The aim of the scheme is to reduce fuel poverty and help the UK reach its Net Zero by 2050 target. The scheme will run until March 2025. It covers both owner occupied and private rented sector homes that are off the gas grid with the aim to improve as many fuel-poor homes to EPC rating Band C by 2030. 

Benefits:

Residents can benefit from increased energy efficiency in homes, a reduction in energy bills and more comfortable homes as a result of being better-adapted to climate change through better heat retention in winter and keeping cool in the hotter weather. Ventilation and condensation are looked at in line with the other measures due to knock-on effects these can have on a property. Finally, a greater reduction in carbon footprint will be seen from better heating systems.

Who is eligible and how can they sign up?

The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is open to home-owners and private tenants in:

• homes not heated by mains gas which includes oil, coal, LPG or only electric heating
• households with a combined annual income of less than £36,000 OR receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit
• hard to heat homes – this is based on your home Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). You will be helped with this part of the assessment and receive a free EPC assessment if you do not have one already.

Landlords who have four or fewer properties will be able to apply and will be required to contribute at least one third of the cost of the upgrades in addition to the funding provided. This will be agreed before work begins.

HUG2 funding is now open to private tenants, landlords and home-owners and will be available until March 2025.

Residents can find out more information on the scheme and the application process on Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 | North Herts Council (north-herts.gov.uk)

Residents can also sign up by calling the Energy Saving Trust on 0808 1968255 or online at https://hugapply.co.uk/