The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) Scheme is a grant-funded energy efficiency scheme from the Government. The scheme is for homes that do not use mains (natural) gas as their primary heat source. It aims to improve the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of your home with a range of energy-saving measures.
The aim is to reduce your heating costs, ensuring your home is warmer and improving your general health and wellbeing.
The Council is working in partnership with OVO Energy Solutions to deliver this scheme across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
The scheme runs until March 2025 and aims to help around 500 homes.
Am I eligible?
You or someone living in your home may:
- have a health condition
- or be at risk of poor health
- or be caring for a vulnerable person
- or be a child aged 19 or under
- or be worried about their home being cold or damp
The total annual household income must not exceed £36,000 gross (so before any deductions like tax or National Insurance).
Your post code may also help you qualify.
Is my home eligible?
If your home/property does not use mains (natural) gas as its primary heating source, you own your own home and live there full-time, then your home might be eligible for the scheme. If you are a private landlord (with 4 or fewer rental properties), then your property(s) might be eligible. Your home/property must have an EPC of D, E, F, or G. If you don't know your EPC, you can check it on the find an energy certificate website or we can check for you.
Unfortunately, we cannot accept privately owned or rented homes that have mains gas as their main way of heating. We also cannot accept social housing. Please get in touch with us about this so that we can help you find the right option.
How it works
Too many homes in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly are not properly insulated. This results in a loss of heat through the walls and roof etc, which is both a waste of energy and money.
There is little point in fitting a new heating system if all the heat escapes back out again, leaving you cold and out of pocket as soon as you turn it on! This doesn't mean we can't fit heating, we just want to make sure that whatever we do recommend is the best possible option for you and your home.
If you and your home are eligible, an assessor (from OVO or acting on OVO's behalf), will carry out a whole-house survey. This will highlight the most beneficial measure(s) to improve the energy efficiency of your property.
We appreciate that you may have certain things in mind for your home. When the recommendations are made to you, this will be your opportunity to discuss your preferences. Please also note that if your property is in a poor state of repair then we may not be able to proceed with the recommended measures.
Please be aware that as this is a fabric-first (insulation) scheme, we will be legally bound to work on insulation requirements first before turning our attention towards other measures. The recommendations will be the most beneficial measures for your home and you will always have the final say as to whether works proceed.
What can't be installed?
We can't install any solid fuel, oil or gas measures under this scheme but we can work on properties that currently have them. However, we cannot work on properties that use main gas as their primary heating source.
What will it cost me?
If you are a home-owner or tenant then this would be free of charge. If you are a landlord then you would be required to pay one-third of the total installation cost. The cost would vary depending on the type and number of measures to be installed but you would be provided with the cost before we asked you to sign any contracts.
How to apply
To check your eligibility and apply, please select the link below:Apply for a Home Upgrade Grant
What happens next?
Once you have completed the eligibility checker on the gov.uk website your details will be sent to Cornwall Council, we will then ask you to complete an application form and provide some supporting evidence in relation to your income and your ownership of the property.
