Retrofit

Retrofit is the practice of carrying out improvement works on a building to make it more energy efficient.  

Residents currently face two major problems in the UK:  

• The need to reduce our carbon emissions to achieve the government’s Net Zero target by 2050.  
• The cost-of-living crisis in which energy prices have increased. This means that our homes are costing more to heat during the winter months. 

The benefits of retrofitting your home 

As of 2021, an estimated 32,000 households (approximately 12% of the population) in Somerset live in fuel poverty. 

Retrofitting older properties with new energy efficiency measures such as insulation, heating, renewable energy, and battery storage can enhance living conditions and avoid long-term cold-related health conditions. Neglecting this issue could lead to a decline in health, leading to increased health care intervention, and a decline in property structural integrity and value.  

Inadequate ventilation contributes significantly to respiratory problems, ranging from minor issues such as headaches to more severe conditions like asthma. Inadequate insulation leads to lower indoor temperatures and increased exposure to cold air, which can aggravate lung conditions and hinder circulation. This elevated risk can result in asthma exacerbations, worsened symptoms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and an increased susceptibility to infections. This will also lead to a substantial increase in healthcare costs for the NHS . 

Assisting households in adopting new energy-efficient measures not only reduces health risks at home but also results in cost savings on energy bills for residents and a reduction in carbon emissions, benefiting the environment.

Funding

There are several grants available for fuel poor homes that are in desperate need of retrofitting. The following grants are available for private properties. These grants will depend on eligibility, architectural type, and current heating source. Somerset Council offer the following grants:

Home Upgrade Grant Scheme

The Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUGS) is a grant-funded initiative financed by the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero, specifically designed to reduce carbon emissions in the UK. Aligned with the government’s ambitious target of achieving Net Zero by 2050, HUGS extends financial support to residents, enabling them to enhance the energy efficiency of their homes. 

The grant period spans from 1 April 2023 to 31 March 2025. The Council’s objective is to facilitate the utilisation of this funding for approximately 400 homes in Somerset. A dedicated budget of £7.2 million is to be spent for capital measures within the delivery period. The council is collaborating with the Centre for Sustainable Energy as our delivery partners to ensure the successful implementation of this project.

Eligibility

• Properties must be off the gas grid.
• The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for the property must be grade D or below.

To find out your property’s EPC rating follow this link to the Government’s Energy Certificate finder: Find an energy certificate – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Other eligibility criteria can include: 

• Income of £36,000 or less
• Employment and Support Allowance
• Disability Allowance
• Above pension age and in receipt of state pension
• Live within the Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) of 1 to 3

Measures provided by the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme can include:

• Floor insulation 
• Wall insulation 
• Roof insulation 
• Door and window replacements 
• Ventilation 
• Solar photovoltaic cells (solar panels) 
• Air Source Heat Pumps 
• Storage Heaters

Energy Company Obligation

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. The scheme has seen 4 iterations, ECO, ECO1, ECO2, ECO3 and currently ECO4. The ECO4 scheme pertains to measures being installed from 1 April 2022 until 31 March 2026.

In contrast to HUGS funding, ECO is accessible for properties connected to gas. The objective is to contribute to reducing carbon emissions in the local community. The Council collaborates with delivery partners, specifically the Centre for Sustainable Energy, to contribute to the success of this project.

Eligibility 

There are several routes for funding which will be checked by the Centre for Sustainable Energy during the application process:

• Route 1 – Low Income (£31,000 or less)
• Route 2 – Income and Health (further assessment carried out by CSE )
• Route 3 – NHS Referral
• Route 4 – Standard Energy Procedure Band D – G

Measures included with ECO4 are the same as HUGS funding, with the addition of services to gas such as: 

• Boiler repairs and replacement
• Radiator repairs and replacement

Next steps

To apply for grant funding, please visit the Centre for Sustainable Energy website or call 0117 934 1400.

To apply for the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme, please complete this form: Somerset HUGs Expression of Interest (jotform.com)