The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 scheme (HUG 2) is specifically designed to help people whose home is heated with oil, coal, liquid propane gas or electricity. Since its launch in November 2023, over 20 applications have been given the green light to access measures worth thousands of pounds per home.
Households with a combined annual income of less than £36,000 and/or in receipt of certain benefits and whose property is off-gas and hard to heat (Energy Performance Certificate D-G) are eligible to apply. If they don’t already have an EPC, a free EPC assessment is available as part of the application process. The scheme is open to homeowners, landlords and tenants.
Successful applicants are visited at home by approved installers who work out which improvements would do the most to reduce heating costs. Possible upgrades include better insulation and ventilation, modern heating systems such as air source heat pumps, new heating controls and energy efficient lighting.
Councillor Tim Hoskin, Executive Member for Environmental Sustainability at East Herts Council, said: “We are keen to encourage uptake of this grant scheme and make the very most of the available funding. Free home upgrades help lower income households save money.”
To check their eligibility or to apply, residents can visit Home Upgrade Grant – Free energy-saving improvements for your home (hugapply.co.uk). Alternatively, they can call East Herts Energy Helpline, provided by Better Housing Better Health, on 0808 1968255 for help including general grant advice if their property uses gas for heating and wouldn’t be available for Hug 2.
Further information is also available on East Herts Council’s website: https://www.eastherts.gov.uk/HUG2
