Energy at home

Grants are available to Runnymede households that can improve energy efficiency and help you benefit from lower energy bills. Funding streams that are currently available include: 

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) 4 Flex 

The ECO Scheme is a government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions. There have been four previous iterations of the scheme, ECO, ECO1, ECO2 and ECO3. Check ofgem website for more details.

The ECO4 Scheme, provides funding for the installation of appropriate energy efficiency measures for low-income households who are most likely to experience fuel poverty, and those who are vulnerable to the effects of a cold home. The Scheme’s obligation period runs from 27 July 2022 to 31 March 2026.

The Flexible Eligibility (Flex) component of ECO4 allows Local Authorities (LAs) to identify and refer consumers that live in private tenure properties and are considered low-income, fuel poor, or vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home. Flex is intended to utilise LAs localised and communal knowledge to target consumers that may benefit from the scheme, but who may not be captured within the scheme’s standard eligibility criteria.

Runnymede Borough Council’s ECO 4 Flex Statement of Intent publicises the Council’s participation in ECO 4 Flex and sets out the criteria that the Council will use to identify eligible consumers via Flex. This ensures transparency and public accountability in relation to the eligibility criteria. 

To find out if you are eligible for this scheme or other available energy efficiency grants, please visit the Heat Surrey website or call them direct on 0800 024 8000 quoting Runnymede SS24.

• Heat Surrey

Warm Homes: Local Grant

The Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG) is a UK Government-funded fuel poverty scheme delivered by local authorities in England. The scheme will improve the energy efficiency of homes and increase low carbon heating installations for low-income households. Upgrades covered under the scheme include energy performance upgrades (up to £15,000 for measures including insulation, draught proofing, solar PV, and battery storage to increase a property EPC rating) and low-carbon heating (up to an additional £15,000 to install measures such as air-source and ground-source heat pumps).

The Warm Homes: Local Grant will provide energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating via local authorities, to households that:

• are in England
• are low income and meet one of the following criteria:
  • gross annual household income of £36,000 or less
  • those living in deprived areas (ranked in the lowest income deciles)
  • those already receiving means-tested benefits (like Universal Credit or Housing Benefit)
• have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G
• are privately owned (owner occupied or privately rented)

The scheme will be open to households both on the gas-grid (heated by mains gas), and off the gas-grid (heated by fuels such as electricity, oil, coal, or liquid petroleum gas). Landlords can also apply for funding to upgrade properties, which will reduce bills for tenants in the private rented sector. Landlords will receive full funding for the first property and 50% funding for additional properties.

Surrey County Council, on behalf of a Surrey Consortium made up of the County Council alongside the 11 district and borough Council’s in Surrey, has been awarded funding to deliver the WHLG. If you are interested in receiving funding through the WHLG, please email energy@surreycc.gov.uk to be added to the waiting list. This means you will be among the first to be notified once the scheme is live and be invited to complete a formal application for funding.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

£7,500 available towards the cost and installation of heat pumps, or £5,000 towards biomass boilers, for property owners with a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) switching to these low carbon heating systems. To check your eligibility and how to apply, visit the dedicated GOV.UK page. 

• Apply for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Great British Insulation Scheme

Homeowners, landlords or tenants can get free or cheaper insulation for your home to reduce your energy bills if you:

• Check your EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating
• Check your Council tax band

If you’re a tenant, please speak to your landlord before applying as you’ll need their permission before any installation can begin. To find out more about the insulation measures you can get and to check if you are eligible for support under the scheme, visit GOV.UK page.   

• Apply for support from the Great British Insulation Scheme

Unsure about your eligibility?

Action Surrey are a free energy advice provider for residents in Surrey. They can help you identify any suitable grant funding schemes for your circumstances to make your home more comfortable and reduce your energy usage.