Community Energy Plus provide free, independent advice and support to householders in Cornwall so they can be warmer and healthier in energy efficient homes.
Visit the Community Energy Plus website to find out more, email advice@cep.org.uk or call 0800 954 1956.
Help is available with energy use and improving energy efficiency of your home (June 2026).
Please note any new information or grants will be published here, if and when they become available
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
The Government’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is available and the latest information is on their website.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) | OfgemThe Boiler Upgrade Scheme will provide upfront capital grants. These are to support the installation of heat pumps including air to air, and in some circumstances biomass boilers.
Cornwall Council has no direct involvement in this scheme, please contact installers direct.
Green Home Improvement Loans
Cornwall Council has teamed up with Lendology CIC to offer Home Improvement Loans. The Green Home Improvement Loan Scheme, will help homeowners fund energy efficiency improvements.
Green Home Improvement Loan Scheme
Homewise
Cornwall’s residents can now use a free tool to see which energy efficiency measures and renewable technologies would suit their home and lifestyle. The Homewise tool offers impartial energy saving advice to help boost the energy rating of your home and help you to save money on energy bills.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) LA Flex
(Closed for new applications, since February 2026)
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 was a UK Government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. . It is closed for new applications. ECO4 was extended to December 2026 but only for installers to complete works on properties approved before November 2025.
The ECO4 scheme was funded by obligated energy suppliers (such as British Gas, EON, EDF) and delivered via installers or their agents. Here is a full list of all the obligated ECO suppliers. It was NOT a Government or Local Authority Grant.
Cornwall Council identified, assessed and approved qualifying residents through our partner Inclusion Cornwall. Not all ECO improvements are approved or considered by Cornwall Council. Any resident who has a query on any measures installed in their property under the ECO scheme can contact OFGEM direct. Please email ECO.SAR@ofgem.gov.uk and must include the full postal address of the property.
The final Statement of Intent (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly) was issued on 29 February 2024.
The previous Statements of Intent for Cornwall Council area only are:
The previous Statement of Intents for Cornwall Council and Council of Isles of the Scilly are:
Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2021 3.1 Valid for period 1 January 2021 – 31 August 2022 only
Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2022 4.1 Valid for period 1 September 2022 – 20 November 2022
Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2022 4.2 Valid for period 21 November 2022 – 2 January 2023
Flexible Eligibility Statement of Intent 2023 4.3 Valid for period 3 January 2023 – 28 February 2024
Eligibility for health led referrals
Eligibility for any of our Winter Wellbeing programmes is based on the following:
you or someone living in your home may have either:
have a long-term health condition
be at risk of poor health
be caring for a vulnerable person
be children aged 19 or under
be worried about their home being cold or damp
and
you are an owner-occupier, a private landlord or rent from a private landlord
andhave a household income of £31,000 or less
How we assess
Are households facing high energy costs, to stay warm?
Is there a greater likelihood that a household is in fuel poverty?
Is the household receiving a low annual income?
Does fuel poverty apply?
you live in a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E F or G.
Vulnerable to the cold
To qualify as vulnerable to the cold, you must meet any one of the following conditions:
you have a recognised long term illness
you are either over 65, have at least one child under the age of 19 or are pregnant
Winter Wellbeing Application Form 25/26
Low Income Low Energy Efficiency
To qualify as being in a home that has a low energy efficiency you need to meet the following conditions:
the home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E F or G
andthe household has a low annual income.
The schemes make a huge difference to so many customers, typical comments include:
“Ah that’s great thanks so much for your help with everything it will make such a difference to my life!”
“I have neglected to say a huge thank you for arranging the central heating for mum and chasing up the problem with her lounge ceiling. The company that ended up fixing her ceiling were amazing and did a wonderful job (one even came back the week after it was completed to give her an 80th Birthday card!). She still can’t believe she can get up in the middle of the night and be warm. It’s a luxury to her, one which she simply wouldn’t have been able to afford on her income. What you do really does make a difference, so thank you.”
“We have now had heating installed and I would like to thank you for this service. The house is warmer and drier than ever before, and our health has improved. Again, thank you.”
“Just wanted to say thank you for the central heating system. It's going to make such a difference this winter”
Another customer told us that their mental health has improved through her engagement with CEP. In an email she said: ‘Thank you again, for all that you are doing for us. I can’t tell you how much our mental health has been affected just to know you’re helping us’.
Crisis and Resilience Fund
Cornwall Council also offers crisis payments, housing related support (previously discretionary housing payments), and wraparound advice to help residents recover from financial shocks and avoid future crises. This may come directly from Cornwall Council or through one of our trusted partners.
The Crisis and Resilience Fund replaced the Household Support Fund and the Crisis and Care Scheme, which have now closed.
Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF)
Heating Oil - Helping Cornwall residents with rising heating oil costs
For information about help with the rising cost of heating oil, there is a 'Crisis and Resilience Fund Energy' support scheme, find out more by visiting the page linked below.
The Government have funded Cornwall Council to offer financial support to households struggling with increasing heating oil costs. Through the Crisis and Resilience Fund (CRF), eligible residents can receive up to £300 to help with essential energy expenses. Who can receive the payment?
You may qualify for this support if you meet one of the following criteria:
1. You receive Council Tax Support (CTS). Households currently in receipt of Council Tax Support for their main residence are eligible.
2. You are exempt from Council Tax due to Severe Mental Impairment (SMI). If your property is exempt from Council Tax because all residents are registered as severely mentally impaired, you can also receive the payment.
This is a one off, payment made directly to your bank account. Please apply using the link to the page:
Crisis and Resilience Fund Energy
Home energy tips and other useful Information
Warm Homes Plan
In 2026, the Government’s Warm Homes Plan was published with £15 billion of public investment to upgrade up to 5 million homes and lift up to a million families out of fuel poverty by 2030. It outlines potential offers: with grants and loans to make it easier than ever for homeowners to install heat pumps, solar panels and batteries; direct support for home upgrades for those on low incomes and in fuel poverty; and new rules to ensure landlords invest in upgrades to cut bills for renters and social tenants
Warm Homes Local Grant and Warm Homes Social Housing Grant
For information about Warm Homes Local Grant please contact warmerhomes@cornwall.gov.uk.
Cornwall Council is a recipient of Warm Homes Local grant and this is run by Cornwall Council’s housing and planning service. Please note that the existing funding is fully allocated and there is a waiting list for new applications.
Warm Homes Social Housing Grant – some social housing providers in Cornwall are part of consortium across South West. Please contact your social housing provider for more information.
For food help please visit Lets Talk Cornwall
Lets Talk Cornwall website - Help with food
For more information if you are worried about money, please see our 'Worried about money page' in our 'Helping Hand' section.
To save energy around the home, as well as contacts for other energy and money advice services that can offer assistance.
Avoid using standby on electrical devices - devices on standby mode can use almost as much energy as when they are being used. To help with this we have standby saver plugs which turn devices off from your remote.
Reduce showering time by one minute - Showers are some of the most energy hungry appliances in our homes. Reducing the amount of time you are in the shower will help you save energy and water.
Replace one bath a week with a shower - Baths use up far more water than showers (about two and a half times more). Showers are even more efficient if you use a shower aerator.
Wash up in a bowl rather than the sink - A washing up bowl takes less water to fill which will save you money.
Turn the thermostat down by one degree - This could reduce your heating bill by up to 10%. You can use thermostats and Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) to keep the rooms you use most warm while saving energy.
Wash clothes at 30°C - Reducing the temperature of your wash from 40°C to 30°C could cost you 40% less. A cooler wash helps keep clothes looking newer for longer.
Only boil as much water as needed - Two thirds of people overfill their kettle, often boiling twice as much as needed. Boiling only as much as you need means your kettle will boil quicker too!
Turn off lights that aren’t being used - It’s always best to turn off lights that aren’t being used, even if only for a short time. This is even more important if you have any older, less energy efficient lightbulbs.
Dry clothes outside where possible - Tumble dryers are amongst the most energy intensive appliances in the home. Drying clothes outside could reduce the amount of condensation in your home and can help reduce issues with damp and mould.
Maximise washing loads - Ensuring that your washing machine or dishwasher is always full before you put it on means you’ll have to do fewer washes. These appliances use the same amount of energy regardless of how full they are.
You can find more information about saving energy in your home on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.
Other sources include the BBC
and Martin Lewis The Money Saving Expert
Water costs
South West Water help with historic debt, payments, meters etc