Skip to content
Feedback button

Grants, loans and subsidies for energy use


Help is available with energy use and improving energy efficiency of your home, from September 2024.

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, 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

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)    

With GBIS you may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills.   You might get support if your home:

  • has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G - check your EPC
  • is in Council Tax bands A-D in England.  

You can be a homeowner, landlord or tenant (either renting privately or from a housing association). If you’re a tenant, speak to your landlord before you apply. You’ll need their permission before any insulation can be installed.    

Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

Cornwall Council has no direct involvement in this Government led scheme.

Health-led referrals

For any programme led by Cornwall Council 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

Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) LA Flex

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 is a UK Government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. 

The scheme is 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.

 

The scheme is running until March 2026 and measures offered include insulation and heating. The scheme aims to reduce fuel poverty and energy bills as well as carbon emissions.

 

What you need to know?  

  • A range of energy measures are available under the scheme and are dependent upon the energy performance of your home and what measures are technically suitable.
  • A home energy assessment will be undertaken by the installation company who can then offer further advice on potential measures and your eligibility.
  • Levels of funding varies and can range from fully funded to partial funded measures that require a customer contribution. Funding levels can fluctuate through the duration of the scheme (which is running until March 2026).
  • Households needing customer contributions are advised to ‘shop around’ to find the best deal available at that time
  • All installers carrying out works under the ECO 4 programme must be registered with the Government Endorsed Scheme through ‘Trustmark’. To check whether a company is registered and accredited visit the Trustmark website.
  • The Council’s role is to publish the scheme criteria and verify household eligibility and we do not have any direct control over funding levels or availability of funding through the scheme.
  • All contractual relationships are between the homeowner and the installer undertaking the works.
  • The selection of a contractor is based on own customer choice, and it is important that residents proceed with the same caution they would when purchasing other types of home improvements or services. 
  • Before agreeing to any works, residents are advised to take their time and make their own enquiries. Do not be pressurised into making a decision. 
  • When participating in any ECO 4 scheme residents are advised to ensure that you are provided with all the necessary warranties and/or after care information following the completion of the works as well as keeping a record of company details and any contractual documentation.
  • If you feel a company is not genuine then this should be reported to Citizens Advice Consumer Advice Services telephone 0808 223 1133 or Citizens Advice online. This service is also able to provide further information on your consumer rights. For fraudulent activity, the Council’s Trading Standards Service can offer further advice and guidance 0300 1234 212 option 4.
  • Some residents may find that they are eligible for more than one energy scheme. Residents are advised to consider all options available to them before agreeing to proceed with any energy efficiency installations, bearing in mind that once you receive assistance from one scheme you may no longer be eligible for measures from a different scheme.

Ofgem's Energy Company Obligation (ECO) page and guidance issued to local authorities will tell you more about this scheme

ECO4 ECO4 Delivery Guidance | Ofgem

Please see our updated joint Help to Heat statement of intent (Cornwall and Isles of Scilly). This explains how we can help qualifying residents and was issued on 29 February 2024.

Cornwall Council and Council of Isles of Scilly’s Statement of Intent 2024

Fuel poor households could be eligible for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) funded home improvements.   

Cornwall Council identifies, assesses and approves such households, through our partner Inclusion Cornwall.    

The previous Statements of Intent for Cornwall Council area only can also be viewed

The previous Statement of Intents for Cornwall Council and Council of Isles of the Scilly can also be viewed:

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

The email must include the full postal address of the property.

Cornwall Council have a list of LA EcoFlex installers who can deliver energy efficiency and insulation in Cornwall.

This will help keep our residents safe and warm by adding new heating or loft, roof or wall insulation. They are Green Deal registered (different to Green Homes Grant) with PAS 2030 accreditation. They have also signed an Information Sharing Agreement with Cornwall Council.

View the list of LA EcoFlex installersLA FLEX - FAQ's for Customers

Memorandum of Understanding and Installer GuidanceEco Flex funding leafletWinter Wellbeing Application Form 24/25 

Eligibility

Eligibility for any of our Winter Wellbeing programmes is based on the following:

You may be eligible if you meet the following conditions:

  • 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
    and
  • have a household income of £31,000 or less once your mortgage or rent, utility, care and council tax payments are deducted

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, after housing, energy, utilities, care and Council Tax costs have been deducted?
  • Does fuel poverty apply?

To qualify as being in fuel poverty 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

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
    and
  • the 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”

A special thanks for all those who made this all possible.

Park Home customer. - The New Gas Installation is absolutely fantastic. Heating and hot water. Plus my home feels warmer too even though I only have single glazed windows.

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’.

Home energy tips and other useful Information

For food help please visit Lets Talk Cornwall

Lets Talk Cornwall website - Help with food

For more information if your worried about money, please see our 'Worried about money page' in our 'Helping Hand' section.

I am worried about money

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.

Cornish 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.

Homewise

You can find more information about saving energy in your home on the Energy Saving Trust’s website.

Energy Trust website


Other sources include the BBC

BBC News

and Martin Lewis The Money Saving Expert

Money Saving Expert website

Water costs

South West Water help with historic debt, payments, meters etc

South West Water website

Need help?

Most issues can be resolved online, it's the quickest and most convenient way to get help.