Central Bedfordshire Council news and press releases

Funding available to make your home warmer

Friday, 18 November 2022

Following a successful scheme at the beginning of this year, we have further funding available to help eligible households make their homes warmer, more energy efficient and therefore cheaper to run.

Cost of living support - banner

We've been allocated £2.89 million of funding to support the government’s Sustainable Warmth scheme.

Households may be eligible for a grant if their annual gross household income is less than £30,000, and if the property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G.

Some of the improvements available under the scheme include:

  • improved insulation, to stop buildings from losing heat quickly meaning it takes less energy to keep a house warm
  • solar panels, allowing residents to generate electricity using energy from the sun, lowering energy bills
  • updated heating, replacing gas or oil-fired boilers with a heat pump system which could create a warmer home while using less energy

Homeowners can apply for a grant of up to £10,000 if their property is connected to the gas grid, and a maximum of £20,000 if their property is not connected to the gas grid. Upgrades to homes which are occupied by the owner will be fully funded under the scheme.

Landlords can apply if their tenants are eligible for the scheme but will have to contribute a third of the cost of the upgrades.

Councillor Richard Wenham, Leader of Central Bedfordshire Council said:

We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this funding to homeowners, especially at a time when many people will be concerned about the rising cost of living.

The upgrades available could help make homes more energy efficient therefore helping to reduce energy bills, as well as reducing a property’s carbon emissions and supporting sustainability across Central Bedfordshire. I would urge any household who may be eligible to find out more and apply as soon as possible.

Applications and improvements will be monitored through the scheme’s installation partner, City Energy. Residents can find out online if they are eligible for a Sustainable Warmth Grant or by calling City Energy on 02921 680951.

We've set up a dedicated information hub for anyone concerned about the cost of living. This includes information about funding for vulnerable residents to help with food, energy and water bills and other wider essentials and a network of warm spaces across Central Bedfordshire for people to use when the temperatures drop.