Home energy help

Many households are struggling with the cost of gas and electricity, but help is available to make Tamworth homes as energy efficient as possible.

There are a number of different national and countywide schemes available, ranging from practical advice to financial assistance such as grants or loans towards the cost of improvements.

In Tamworth, we have our own campaign called HEAT, which acts a central point of help.

The HEAT campaign is delivered through an independent company called Community Home Solutions (CHS). Advisors at Community Home Solutions can tell you what support and funding is available and whether you are eligible.

Anyone can get in touch, whether you’re a homeowner, private tenant or council tenant. The schemes are particularly aimed at those suffering fuel poverty, either due to vulnerabilities, financial circumstances or homes which are poorly heated or insulated.

The best thing to do is contact Community Home Solutions in the first instance via the following methods:

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Great British Insulation Scheme Flexible Eligibility

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and the Great British Insulation (GBI) Scheme are the main government energy efficiency schemes currently in place to help tackle fuel poverty. It’s a partnership between the government, energy companies, installers and councils to help as many vulnerable households as possible.

In addition to national grants for owners and renters who are in receipt of certain benefits (ECO4), councils can also recommend additional households for grants under the ECO4 flex  and GBI schemes, with wider eligibility criteria. This statement of intent sets out our criteria for funding.

This privacy notice details how your information is stored if you receive support through the scheme.

More information is also available on the government’s ECO4 website, which includes a quick eligibility checker. You can also speak to the Community Homes Solutions advisors using the information above for more advice on the ECO. Or if you wish to apply for funding visit: https://energyefficiency.powerappsportals.com/chs-createapp/

Staffordshire Warmer Homes

A partnership between Staffordshire County Council and district councils - which brings together a number of funding solutions for things like external wall and cavity insulation, air source heat pumps, solar PV, underfloor insulation, loft insulation and help for properties which are off gas, or don’t use gas as their main heating source. You can visit the Staffordshire Warmer Homes page for more information.

Help for Households

More energy-saving advice is available from the government’s Help for Households and the Energy Saving Trust.

FREE energy efficiency upgrades 

We are working with Community Home Solutions to provide FREE energy efficiency upgrades to those who are eligible through their funding routes. Their main aim is to help towards Net Zero, reduce fuel poverty and help residents heat their home sufficiently and efficiently.

Community Home Solutions operate across the whole of Staffordshire and deliver FREE energy saving improvements such as:

  • Loft Insulation
  • Wall Insulation
  • Boiler Upgrades
  • Air Source Heat Pumps
  • Heating Controls Solar Panels

Below is an overview on each of the fully funded schemes available:

ECO4: Energy Company Obligation

ECO4 is a government scheme aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and combating fuel poverty across Great Britain through whole house retrofit. Eligible households can own or rent their home and could receive a whole house package of measures which can make significant improvements to the energy performance of a property.

You could be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria and have an EPC rating of E, F or G:

  • Total gross household income is less than £31,000.
  • Someone in the household receives one or more qualifying benefit.
  • Someone in the household has a long-term health condition impacted by cold such as: Respiratory disease, cardiovascular condition, limited mobility, or Immunosuppression.

GBIS: Great British Insulation Scheme

GBIS is a government initiative focused on delivering single insulation measures such as loft and wall insulation.

You could be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria and have an EPC rating of D, E, F or G:

  • Live within council tax bands A, B, C or D
  • Someone in the household receives one or more qualifying benefit.
  • Total gross household income is less than £31,000.
  • Someone in the household has a long-term health condition impacted by cold such as: Respiratory disease, cardiovascular condition, limited mobility, or Immunosuppression.

HUG2: Home Upgrade Grant

HUG2 provides funding for low-income households with Energy Performance Ratings of D, E, F, or G. Available for just homeowners, it covers various energy efficiency improvements such as loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, low carbon heating, or solar panels. Community Home Solutions work in conjunction with Staffordshire County Council and Midlands Net Zero to support Staffordshire residents.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Energy: Home has an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G and is heated by non-gas means.
  • Income: Gross annual household income is less than £31,000, lives in an approved postcode, or receives qualifying means-tested benefits.
  • Ownership: Owns the property or rents from a private landlord.