Retrofitting your home

Home Upgrade Grant

Find out if you are eligible for grant funding to retrofit your home and reduce energy bills.

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Make your home energy efficient with the Home Upgrade Grant

Are you concerned about the cost of energy bills and looking for ways to make your home cheaper to heat and more comfortable to live in? 

The good news is that you may be eligible for energy efficiency upgrades for your home, funded by the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2). These upgrades, known as ‘retrofitting’, could help to reduce your energy bills and make your home easier to keep warm. 

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What is the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2)?

Oxfordshire County Council has been awarded funding under the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2) scheme. HUG2 is a government-backed scheme running from April 2023 to March 2025, providing energy efficiency measures and low-carbon heating for low-income households.

It’s open to owner-occupiers and private renters living in the worst-performing, off-gas grid homes. The aim is to tackle fuel poverty by upgrading energy-inefficient homes and make progress towards the UK’s 2050 net zero target. 

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How it works

If you are eligible, your home will be surveyed to decide the most suitable energy efficiency measures. Oxfordshire County Council’s delivery partner, Welcome the Warmth, can install measures such as insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels. This process, known as retrofitting, can make your home more comfortable and minimise your household energy bills.   

Our HUG2 scheme is only available to owner-occupiers and private renters living in the following districts: 

  • West Oxfordshire District Council 
  • Cherwell District Council
  • South Oxfordshire District Council 
  • Vale of White Horse District Council

Oxford City Council has a similar scheme for Oxford City residents.

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Private landlords

Landlords of privately rented properties must own no more than four properties and contribute one-third to the overall cost of any works. Landlords cannot use the grant to make a rented property compliant with minimum energy efficiency standards (MEES). Therefore, landlords of privately rented properties with an EPC rated F or G must supply proof of a MEES exemption. 

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Which energy efficiency measures can we fund?

You can use the funding for the following energy-efficiency improvements.

  • Solid wall insulation (internal or external) 
  • Cavity wall insulation  
  • Underfloor insulation  
  • Loft insulation  
  • Room-in-roof insulation 
  • Park home insulation   
  • Air source heat pump  
  • Solar PV panels   
  • High heat retention storage heaters 

All measures are subject to the property:

  • receiving a satisfactory survey from a qualified installer
  • being technically and financially feasible with the funding available within the programmes.  

Grant conditions require a ‘fabric-first’ approach. Therefore, insulation measures will be prioritised before renewables. We may restrict the measures offered if you have received funded measures under the previous Sustainable Warmth Grant (HUG1). 

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We only work with trusted and accredited installers and will let you know who to expect contact from. If you are suspicious of someone claiming to be from Welcome the Warmth or Oxfordshire County Council, stop and check with us first.

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Am I eligible?

You may qualify for the funding if the following statements apply to you. 

  • Your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G. You can find out if your property has an EPC rating, but if not, our partner will survey your property as part of the scheme.
  • Your home doesn’t have a mains gas supply, or you don’t use gas as your main heating source. For example, you use electricity, oil, LPG or solid fuels as the main heating source for your home. 

And either:  

  • you have a total household annual income of £39,000 or less (before housing costs/bills).

Or: 

  • you receive a means-tested benefit, subject to approval. 

The following benefits are eligible for this programme.

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC) 
  • Working Tax Credit (WTC) 
  • Housing Benefit 
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) 
  • Income-related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA) 
  • Income Support (IS) 
  • Pension Guarantee Credit 
  • Pension Savings Credit 
  • Universal Credit (UC) 

If your household income exceeds £39,000 annually, you can still contact us. We can ask you some additional questions to see if you qualify. 

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How to apply 

If you think you are eligible for HUG2 funding, complete the application form linked below. Our delivery partners, the Welcome the Warmth team, will be in touch shortly. 

Alternatively, you can contact Welcome the Warmth directly at 0800 038 6775 (Monday – Friday, 9 am to 5 pm) or email info@welcomethewarmth.org.uk. 

Apply for funding

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Contact us

If you have any questions or require further information, contact Oxfordshire County Council’s Retrofit Team.

If you aren't eligible for HUG2 funding but would like to hear about other available retrofit grants, please complete the register of interest form.

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Apply for funding
Complete the application form and Welcome the Warmth will contact you.