News MBC encouraging residents to apply for energy efficiency and heating upgrades
Maidstone Borough Council (MBC) is encouraging as many eligible residents as possible to apply now for energy efficiency and heating upgrades via the Home Upgrade Grant – Phase 2 (HUG2).
Households struggling with rising energy bills and vulnerable residents facing impossible choices to try and keep warm may be worrying during these winter months and the government led grant could help them.
Open for applications until the end of 2024 (or until funding runs out), the HUG2 scheme helps fund energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating systems, targeting some of the most inefficiently heated homes (i.e. an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G) and which are not heated by mains gas heating systems.
Homeowners and private tenants on low incomes can check whether their household is eligible via the MBC website: MBC HUG2 Application
MBC Cabinet Member for Housing and Health - Councillor Lottie Parfitt-Reid said:
“The Home Upgrade Grant scheme has been running since last year, but residents may not be aware that they can apply for help. That is why we are encouraging as many people as possible to check whether they are eligible and if so, apply for the funding now.”
The home must be heated by alternative fuels including electricity, oil, liquid propane gas, and solid fuels. The energy efficiency criteria will be determined by the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of the property. Residents will be supported with this part of the eligibility process and be provided with a free EPC where they do not already have one.
Once residents have applied, they will be guided by local installers to help them understand and establish eligibility for the scheme. If eligible, the installer will identify which improvements for the home will provide the greatest benefits and arrange any necessary surveys and installations.
Lottie continued:
“Paying our utility bills, particularly at this time of year, can be a worrying thought for many people, and the HUG2 scheme could make all the difference. It is there to help, and I would encourage everyone to take a look to see if it can support them.”
HUG2 is a government initiative being led by the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero. The scheme allows funding per property to provide a range of energy and cost saving upgrades, depending on the specific circumstances such as the fuel source, energy efficiency and EPC rating of the home, with the most funding available for the least efficient homes heated by the most polluting fuel sources.
For more information and to apply visit hugapply.co.uk or call 0333 202 4820