Grants available to provide energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades to low-income households in Ashford

A grant scheme has been launched to provide energy efficiency and clean heating upgrades to low-income households in the Ashford borough.

Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) is a new Government grant scheme to fund energy-saving upgrades for residents with ‘off-grid’ gas heating systems who are most likely to be impacted by the high cost of energy bills.

The grant will pay for improvements which could help local people to use less energy, reduce their carbon footprint and spend less on energy bills. The scheme is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ashford Borough Council has signed up to support the delivery of the scheme across the district.

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 (hence ‘off-grid’) AND
• Households with a combined annual income of less than £31,000 OR receiving certain income-related means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit OR if you live in certain area
• 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.

How will it help?

You may be offered energy saving improvements to help cut your energy bills and reduce your carbon emissions. These could include: 

• Insulation and ventilation upgrades (to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer).
• A low carbon heating system such as an air source heat pump (which will mean upgrading any existing heating system).
• Heating controls which make sure you only use heat when you need it.
• An energy efficient hot water solution to keep your water warm for longer.
• Solar panels (PV) to generate electricity.
• Energy efficient lighting which is cheaper to run.

E.ON will guide households through the process

E.ON has been appointed as the approved installer in this area and they will be on hand to guide customers through the application journey, helping them understand and establish eligibility for the scheme. If eligible, E.ON will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations.

Cllr Noel Ovenden, Leader of Ashford Borough Council, said: “Phase 2 of the Home Upgrade Grant is a key step towards improving our most energy inefficient homes. It aims to target low-income households helping them save money and reduce fuel poverty. With fuel costs remaining high, this scheme is an important chance for local residents to improve their homes, save money on energy bills and reduce their carbon emissions.”

HUG2 funding is open to private tenants, landlords and home-owners and will be available until March 2025. The council will be contacting residents who they believe could be eligible. You can find out more and apply at hugapply.co.uk/ or by calling the Energy Saving Trust on 0808 1968255 

You can also find out more information by visiting https://www.ashford.gov.uk/hug2