Helping you with energy bills and heating your home
There are a number of schemes and other support available to help you save money on your heating bills, make your home more energy efficient and additional support for vulnerable residents.
Home Upgrade Grant phase 2 (HUG2)
Available for properties in Cumbria which are off gas grid, energy inefficient and where the household has a low income (or the property is located in a pre-qualified area).
Enquiries regarding the HUG2 scheme can be made by contacting 0330 056 5698 for Cumberland properties (or 01768 212 348 for Westmorland and Furness).
For more information, please visit the HUG2 Cumbria page.
Sustainable Warmth Cumbria (LAD3)
Applications for this scheme have now closed as the maximum amount of funding available for allocation has been reached.
For more information, please visit the Homelife Carlisle website.
Scam calls
We are aware of some scam calls claiming to relate to the Sustainable Warmth grants Cumbrian councils are administering.
The scammers have asked for bank details and a contribution toward energy-saving measures.
If you are an eligible householder, no payment is required from you towards the Sustainable Warmth measures (private landlords are asked for a contribution but this would not be done over the phone.)
If you receive a call like this, please do not give your bank details. Inform the police. You can also call us on 0300 373 3730 to confirm the validity of a caller.
Cold to Cosy Homes scheme
Helping cold homes become cosy in our district
We are supporting a free project to help residents struggling with cold and draughty houses and help cut heating costs.
Cumbria Action for Sustainability (CAfS) won funding to work with local councils and other partners to offer a Cold to Cosy Homes service, making free advice, energy-saving equipment and other practical help available to householders.
Its advisors give advice over the phone and ensure that energy saving measures are in place to reduce energy use and costs.
Residents can save money on their energy bills through simple measures like LED light bulbs, draught exclusion and radiator reflectors, all offered free of charge through the scheme.
The advisor can assess needs like draught proofing for doors and chimneys and radiator reflectors on their call and arrange for measures to be posted out or arrange for a professional installer to fit measures like loft hatch draught proofing.
There is a wide range of eligibility based on income, health and vulnerability criteria.
Cold to Cosy Homes Cumbria is delivered by CAfS, with a network of trusted Cumbrian tradespeople carrying out the more substantial energy efficiency installations. It is funded through the Energy Industry Voluntary Redress Scheme and partners include Local Energy Advice Partnership (or LEAP) and all the counties local authorities.
Andrew Northcott, energy efficiency project manager with CAfS, said: “Booking a call means you get expert advice on ways to get a warmer home, save energy at home, cut your bills and reduce your carbon footprint. Many calls can lead on to real benefits, making big improvements to warmth and energy use”
“I suggest people contact us as soon as possible to check eligibility for the free scheme and book a call.”
“By partnering with local authorities we have been able to provide many more visits across the district and focus on the areas and households that can benefit the most."
Apply for a free Cold to Cosy Homes advice call by emailing the team or calling 01768 216500. More information is available on the CAfS website.
Other support available
ECO4 Funding
Available for properties across the UK where the residents are in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Enquiries can be made directly to an ECO4 supplier. More information is available on the Ofgem website.
National Energy Action (NEA)
A national charity working to end fuel poverty in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Advice and support available to fuel-poor households.
NEA’s Warm and Safe Homes Advice Service is a free support service providing advice to householders in England and Wales on their energy bills and keeping warm and safe in their home. They can also help with benefits advice and income maximisation. Contact 0800 304 7159 (open Monday to Friday, 10am-12 noon). More information is available on the NEA website.
Priority services register (PSR)
Free support available for those who need it. Check with your energy supplier whether you qualify for this and also consider registering with your district network operator (e.g. Northern Gas Networks or Electricity North West) who run their own PSRs. United Utilities has one too and you can also request water-saving freebies.
More information is available on the following websites:
Your local home improvement agency (HIA)
HIAs are local, trusted organisations that help older, disabled and vulnerable people to live a good life for longer. Services vary between HIAs but they may be able to help you. More information is available on the Foundations website.
Other available grants can also be found by searching on the Turn2us website.
More information about maintaining good health during winter and the financial help available for the over 60s, low-income families and people living with a disability can be found on the Government website.
