The Sustainable Warmth Fund is a government scheme that the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has secured for local residents to make local homes greener and warmer. The funding is available to help almost 500 households across Wirral. It can be used for work including insulation, solar panels or low carbon heating. A company called 'Next Energy' will carry out the works.
The application window has now closed for gas heated properties.
Next Energy and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority are reviewing which applications already in the system are eligible to progress.
Non-gas heated homes can still apply to the scheme.
You can apply by visiting the Next Energy website or calling Next on 0800 021 3145
If your home is gas heated and you would like advice on financial assistance for insulation or heating improvements, please contact Wirral Council’s advice partner Energy Projects Plus by telephone on 0800 043 0151, via email advice@epplus.org or visit their website www.epplus.org.uk
What is Sustainable Warmth Funding?
Sustainable Warmth will pay for works in your house to make your home warmer, greener and reduce your energy bills.
There are different amounts of funding available and different eligibility criteria. This depends on if your house is mainly heated by gas or by something else such as electric heaters, coal or oil.
Who can get a grant?
You will need to meet the eligibility criteria listed below.
- the gross household income must be below £30,000 per year or below the Minimum Income Standard
- Check if your household income is below the Minimum Income Standard
- The property should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E, F or G. Limited funding is available for D-rated propertiesCheck if your property has an Energy Performance Certificate rating
If the property doesn't have an EPC you can still apply.
How does it work?
If your application is successful, we will arrange a visit to your home to carry out a survey.
If the survey finds that your property has an EPC of A, B or C, your application will go no further. If your property is found to be Band D, you may not receive a grant as properties in Bands E, F and G are prioritised.
The survey will also see if your home is suitable for work such as:
- insulation for solid walls, cavity walls, lofts, suspended timber floors, rooms-in-roofs
- solar photovoltaic (PV) electric panels
- air source heat pumps
How much will I get?
Gas heated homes
- owner-occupied homes will receive works up to the value of £10,000
- private rented properties will receive a grant for up to the value of £5,000 with the landlord funding at least one third of the overall costs
Non-gas heated homes
The amount of grant you receive will be between £10,000 and £25,000. The grant received will be based on your EPC and fuel type.
For private rented properties, the landlord will be required to fund at least one third of the cost of upgrades.
Private Rented Landlords
If you are a private landlord wishing to apply for the grant, please ensure you have discussed it with your tenants.
If you are a private tenant, before you apply for the grant, please ensure your landlord is willing for works to be done on their property and that they understand they will have to make a financial contribution.
Gas heated homes
Private rented properties will receive a grant for up to the value of £5,000 with the landlord funding one third of the overall costs. Examples are shown below:
| Sustainable Warmth Funding | Minimum Landlord Contribution | Total Cost of measures installed |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | £500 | £1,500 |
| £2,000 | £1,000 | £3,000 |
| £3,000 | £1,500 | £4,500 |
| £4,000 | £2,000 | £6,000 |
| £5,000 | £2,500 | £7,500 |
If overall costs exceed £7,500, additional investment by the landlord will be required.
Non-gas heated homes
If you are a private landlord wishing to apply for the grant, please ensure you have discussed it with your tenants.
If you are a private tenant, before you apply for the grant, please ensure your landlord is willing for works to be undertaken on their property and that they understand they will have to make a financial contribution.
Private landlords will be required to fund at least one third of the cost of upgrades. Examples are shown below:
EPC rating of F and G
| Sustainable Warmth | Landlord contribution | Total Cost of measures installed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | £13,333 | £6,667 | £20,000 |
| Non-gas fossil fuel (oil, LPG, coal) | £16,666 | £8,333 | £25,000 |
EPC rating of E
| Sustainable Warmth | Landlord | Total Cost of measures installed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electric | £10,000 | £5,000 | £15,000 |
| Non-gas fossil fuel (oil, LPG, coal) | £13,333 | £6,667 | £20,000 |
If overall costs exceed those for the various combinations of EPC ratings and heating fuel, additional investment by the landlord will be required.
Grants for fossil fuel heating systems, such as gas boilers, are not available.
When are the grants available?
Sustainable Warmth surveys commenced Summer 2022 with all work completing by March 2023.
How to apply
The application window has now closed for gas heated properties.
Next Energy and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority are reviewing which applications already in the system are eligible to progress.
Non-gas heated homes can still apply to the scheme.
You can apply by visiting the Next Energy website or calling them on 0800 021 3145.
If your home is gas heated and you would like advice on financial assistance for insulation or heating improvements, please contact Wirral Council’s advice partner Energy Projects Plus by telephone on 0800 043 0151, via email advice@epplus.org or visit their website www.epplus.org.uk