Sustainable Warmth Fund
The scheme is now open for new applications with a target to complete all energy improvement installations by March 2023.
Working in partnership, Halton Borough Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has secured funding from the government's Sustainable Warmth Fund. This will pay for work on improving the energy efficiency of around 442 homes in Halton to make them warmer, help cut carbon emissions and reduce energy costs.
Homeowners are not required to make a financial contribution to measures installed via the Sustainable Warmth Fund; in the case of private rental properties the landlord is required to make a financial contribution. Any financial assistance is subject to meeting scheme qualifying eligibility criteria and also subject to a technical survey. Please see the Frequently Asked Questions section below for more information.
The scheme is being delivered by two home energy improvements companies Everwarm and Next Energy. They have been appointed and vetted by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority and the Local Authorities participating in the scheme.
Quick Step-By-Step Guide
From start to finish the Sustainable Warmth Fund grant process typically takes 4 – 12 weeks, and involves the following steps:
- To apply for the grant, please complete an online expression of interest form;
- Households will then be contacted to undertake an eligibility assessment and organise a home energy survey;
- If households meet the criteria and the survey identifies suitable improvement measures, recommendations are presented to household (and also the private landlord in rented properties) for agreement;
- • Once agreed, Next Energy will liaise with the resident (and any private landlord) to organise installation of improvement measures. Find out more about how
Next Energy are supporting delivery of the Sustainable Warm Fund.
For residents who require support and assistance to complete the expression of interest form, please call Next Energy on 0800 021 3145 or visit a Halton Direct Link.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible?
The qualifying criteria is set by government. To apply for a grant you will need to meet the eligibility criteria listed below:
Household Income The gross household income must be below £30,000 per year or below the Minimum Income Standard (which were last updated in early September 2022 to increase what income is needed for a minimum acceptable standard of living) |
Proof of income evidence will be requested to confirm eligibility this could include: - The last three months of payslips for each person who earns money in the household;
- The last pension letter received for each person in the household;
- Benefit award letters;
- The last 3-months of bank statements for each household earner;
- The last P60 for each household earner.
You can check if your household income is below the Minimum Income Standard via the Minimum Income Calculator |
Energy Performance The property should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G | You can check if your property has an Energy Performance Certificate rating at the Government EPC Finder If the property doesn't have an EPC you can still apply. Whilst the priority of the scheme is to address homes with the worst energy performance, a limited number of EPC D rated properties are also eligible. |
Property Tenure Homeowners and those living in private rental homes | For private rented properties, the landlord will be required to fund at least one third of the cost of upgrades. If you are a private tenant, whilst you can discuss this with your landlord ahead of application, we can do this for you as part of the grant process. Private landlords wishing to apply for the grant, should ensure they have discussed it with their tenants. People living in homes that are owned and managed by a social landlord (such as Halton Housing) are not presently eligible to apply for this grant. The Govt. has a separate grant scheme called the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, which is available to social landlords to apply to upgrade properties. |
How does the grant process work?
Once you have completed the online expression of interest form, you will be contacted to undertake some initial eligibility checks over the phone.
If you meet the eligibility criteria, an energy survey will be carried out at your home.
If the survey finds that the property has an EPC of A, B, C your application will not progress. Only a limited number of EPC D rated properties are eligible. The survey will also assess what home energy improvement measures are suitable for the property.
With agreement of the resident (and in the case of private rented properties, also the landlord), and subject to eligibility, home energy improvements works will be arranged for your home.
What home energy improvement measures are eligible for a grant?
The grant can be used for a number of home energy improvement measures including:
- Cavity and solid wall insulation
- Insulation for lofts and rooms-in-roofs and under floor insulation
- Upgrading single-glazing with double-glazing and new external doors [this is anticipated to be a limited measure being installed]
- Alternative heating systems such as air source heat pumps
- Solar photovoltaic (PV) electric panels
Grants for fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, are not available through the Sustainable Warmth Fund.
How much is the grant for and do I have to contribute anything?
There are different amounts of funding available and different eligibility criteria. This depends on if your house is primarily heated by mains gas or by something else such as electric heaters, LPG, coal or oil. All grant offers are made on the basis of a technical assessment - about your home’s energy performance and the recommended measures to be installed.
For homes that are mains gas heated:
Owner-occupied (homeowners) will receive works on average up to the value of £10,000.
Private rented properties will receive a grant for up to the value of £5,000 with the landlord funding at least one third of the overall costs. The grant cannot be used to fund improvements to bring private rented properties up to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) 2018 requirements, which is currently EPC Rating E.
For homes that are not heated by mains gas:
Owner-occupied (homeowners) will receive a grant of on average between £10,000 and £25,000. The grant received will be based on your EPC and fuel type.
For private rented properties, the landlord will be required to fund at least one third of the cost of upgrades. The grant cannot be used to fund improvements to bring private rented properties up to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) 2018 requirements, which is currently EPC Rating E.
How and when can you apply?
If you think you are eligible, you can apply now by completing the online expression of interest form.
For residents who require support and assistance to complete the expression of interest form, please call Next Energy on 0800 021 3145 or visit a Halton Direct Link.
It is anticipated that approximately 442 homes in Halton will be able to benefit from the grant.
Require Further Help or Support?
The Council has partnered with the following not-for-profit organisations to provide free warm home and energy saving advice and support services in Halton:
Save Energy Advice Line
- Operated by Energy Projects Plus
- Call free: 0800 043 0151
- Email: Advisor@epplus.org.uk
- Open Monday- Friday 9AM-5PM
Green Doctor
For households that are unsure which service is best for them, they can complete a referral request form
If you have any queries about the Green Homes Grant or Sustainable Warmth Fund please email the Council at greenhomesgrant@halton.gov.uk