The Home Upgrade Grant is a grant exclusively reserved to help homes which have off-gas heating systems to become more energy efficient and save residents money.
Off-gas grid homes are those which are primarily heated by:
- oil
- liquid petroleum gas (LPG)
- coal
- solid fuels
- electricity for heating purposes
Homes must also have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower.
If eligible, the grant can be used for improvements such as:
- insulation and ventilation upgrades (that will help 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 photovoltaic (PV) systems (which generate electricity)
- energy efficient lighting (which are cheaper to run)
You could receive a mix of measures which are tailored to your property. These improvements should help you save money on your energy bills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
City of York Council are working with Clear Climate to deliver HUG2.
Eligibility
You can apply for the scheme if:
- you're a private sector household, owner occupier, or rent privately
- your household has a total gross income of up to £36,000 unless you are already in a qualifying postcode area (see the Pre-qualified Postcodes section)
Owner occupier measures are 100% grant funded. Those living in private rented properties are eligible to apply although landlords must give their permission and contribute at least a third of the total cost of the upgrade. If you are a Leaseholder, then you must receive permission from your Freeholder.
Property Requirements
Properties must be off-gas grid homes and have a low energy efficiency rating (between D and G on an energy performance certificate).
Properties must be technically suitable for the measures available in the scheme and will require technical surveys to assess their suitability. Please be aware there may be circumstances where your property is not suitable for the measures and is deemed ineligible for HUG2 funding.
HUG2 also extends to Shared Ownership properties and a limited number of Park Homes.
Pre-qualified Postcodes
Properties within a pre-qualified postcode area will not need to meet the income eligibility criteria of the grant scheme. The home must still have off-gas mains heating and an EPC rating of D or below.
Use the map below to search for your address or postcode to find out if the property is in a pre-qualified postcode area.
What to expect
City of York Council have partnered with Clear Climate who are delivering the HUG2 scheme. If you proceed with your application, your contract of works will be with Clear Climate and not City of York Council.
You can find more information about the customer journey below:
- Eligibility check and verification - once you have enquired, Clear Climate will ask you to provide evidence that you are eligible to receive grant funded measures under the HUG2 scheme. The evidence that they require from you will depend on what makes you eligible for this scheme and may include sensitive documents such as financial statements.
- Technical survey - once the evidence has been collected and verified, Clear Climate will arrange a technical survey of your property. This may be done simultaneously with your eligibility check. The results of this survey will inform the installation plan which will be shared with you for approval. Further surveys may be required to ensure compliance with British Standards. If you are paying for part of the install, you will be provided with a quote at this stage, for approval.
- Confirmation of works - following approval from yourself, City of York Council, and the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, Clear Climate will book a date with you to install the new measures. Once works are complete, you will be provided with handover documents that will contain certificates, warranties, and maintenance information for the measures you have received.
- Completion - once you are satisfied with the installation and instructions provided, you will be asked to sign off on the works to allow payment. At this stage we will also ask you to complete a customer satisfaction survey to help us maintain and improve quality standards.
How to apply
If you believe you may be eligible for the HUG2 scheme, then please follow the below steps to get started. There is a limited amount of funding available, so we politely encourage you to enquire as soon as possible.
1. Check your grant eligibility online
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has launched a free online eligibility checker to enable you to determine whether you may be eligible for the HUG 2 grant scheme.
Where you use the eligibility checker and are found to be eligible for the scheme, DESNZ will forward your data to City of York Council. We will pass this information to our HUG2 partner, Clear Climate, who will contact you to discuss the next steps.
2. Contact Clear Climate
If you have any questions or already know you are eligible for the scheme, please contact our delivery partner directly who will guide you through the application process:
- Website: Clear Climate
- Email: sales@clearclimate.co.uk
- Telephone: 0191 7102550
- Mobile: 0786 0907354
- Address:
3 Fern Court
Peterlee
SR8 2RR
Clear Climate are our only official partner in the delivery of this scheme.
Also see
Home Energy Efficiency Team
Healthy and Sustainable Homes