Renewable Energy and Heat

Our Warmer Homes team can help you heat and power your home more efficiently and save money on your utility bills.

We have Government funding for energy efficiency measures (including insulation) and other energy efficiency measures to on and off-gas properties. You may be eligible to apply for energy-saving improvements to your home. £2.5m has been awarded as part of the Warm Homes: Local Grant, to improve 143 privately owned and privately rented homes in Northumberland over the next 3 years. If you are eligible for the warm homes local grant scheme, a home energy survey will be carried out to check which measures are the best to make your home warmer and healthier. The improvements are free to you, the resident. You will not be asked to contribute to the cost of any works. Private tenants can also apply for the grant. The Warm Homes: Local Grant will fully fund upgrades for one property per landlord. The tenant must meet the eligibility criteria. The grant is limited to £15,000 per property.

What is included?

Measures may include:

  • Floor, loft and wall insulation (internal or external)
  • Low carbon heat systems, such as air source heat pumps, high retention storage heaters and heating controls
  • Solar panels

 

A review of the ventilation requirements to your property will be carried out. If ventilation requirements are proposed these must be carried out a to proceed with any proposed retrofit measures. Ventilation measures are 100% funded as part of the proposed works. No retrofit works will be carried out without adequate ventilation measures which may include internal door undercuts, window trickle vents and extractor fans.

Find out more about the fantastic benefits of Ventilation
 

Benefits 

These measures can help:  
  • Help you save money on energy bills. 
  • Improve the comfort of your home.   
  • Reduce carbon emissions. 

Eligibility

To apply for Local Grant applicants must:

  • Live in Northumberland
  • Own or live in a home with an energy rating of D, E, F, or G if you do not know your EPC rating or are not sure, the Warmer Homes Team can check or arrange for an EPC inspection to be carried out on your property. You can also check your EPC at Find an energy certificate - GOV.UK
  • You or anyone in the household must NOT have savings or capital over £100,000 (including ISAs/shares/additional properties/Trust Funds) - not including home you are occupying.
  • Your property must not be over 200 square metres. (As identified on the EPC certificate).
  • Your property must not be used as a holiday let or have any other buildings within the property boundary that are used for holiday lets.
  • The property is not on the market for sale nor will be until all the works are completed and Trustmark registered. It is expected applicants should not be actively looking to be selling their property.
  • You are the owner occupier or private tenant.
  • We are unable to carry out retrofit works if your property is undergoing renovation works.
  • The property must be your main address.
     

And one of the following

A: If your postcode falls in one of the Automatically Eligible Areas as defined by the Government then you will qualify regardless, of income or savings and a means test is not required. Please check if your postcode falls in one of the automatically eligible areas. If you are unsure, please contact the Warmer Homes team at warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk and we will be able to check for you. 

B: Someone living permanently in your home receives one of the following means tested benefits

  • Housing Benefit or local housing allowance
  • Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit (savings and guarantee)
  • Universal Credit

C: Have an annual gross household income of £36,000 or less – however, if you have children and rent or mortgage costs, please contact the Warmer Homes team at warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk who will carry out further eligibility checks.

If you do not have a valid EPC, we can provide this assessment as a part of the scheme. Check your home's EPC rating.
 

If the property is privately rented a mutual agreement will have to be made between the landlord and tenant to register for this scheme. The eligibility requirements will depend on the occupants of the household.

Private Rental landlords must not exceed the Minimal Financial Assistance (MFA) limit of £315,000 and a limit of one property per landlord. 

If you are a landlord, please ask your tenant to complete the application form.

Process for the Local Grant funding

  1. Apply for Warmer Homes Grant.
  2. Eligibility Checks will be carried out.
  3. EPC. If you do not have a valid EPC an assessment will be carried out.
  4. Retrofit Assessment. (home energy survey) This is a nonintrusive assessment of the property to confirm the condition and what measures may be suitable.
  5. Retrofit Coordination (Medium Term Plan) will then prepare a suitable package of energy efficiency measures, using the data from the Retrofit Assessment.
  6. Building Inspection. (Technical surveys) The main contractor will carry out surveys of the proposed measures to determine the cost and desktop suitability.
  7. Cost and funder approval. Northumberland County Council will approve the costs and submit a funding request to the Government.
  8. Retrofit Design. The approved measures will receive a detailed design. It allows for all foreseeable issues to be solved prior to commencing installation
  9. Retrofit Design. The approved measures will receive a detailed design. It allows for all foreseeable issues to be solved prior to commencing installation
  10. Installation Date. Agreed Installation date agreed between homeowner and installer(s).
  11. Evaluation post works. Access will be required to carry out further surveys to evaluation that works are compliant.
Applications and eligibility checks will be dealt with by Northumberland County Council only.

What is not included

Improvements not part of the scheme include gas or oil boiler repairs or replacements as it is only for low carbon technologies, such as heat pumps or (where these are not viable) high heat retention storage heaters.

New build or self-build homes which have not been previously occupied.

Social housing – homes are rented out by landlords who are registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. Please email warmerhomesshf@northumberland.gov.uk in you are Northumberland Homes tenant.

Repairs and ongoing maintenance requirements to your property are not covered by the grant, for example roof repairs to enable solar panels.

Once the measures have been installed, the funding does not cover the cost of decoration and new flooring of the property.

How to apply 

The scheme is accessed by completing the application form curently under maintenance and we will contact you once eligibility checks have been carried out. If you are a private tenant, please ask your landlords permission before applying.

If you require assistance completing the application form, please contact 0345 600 6400 (Mon-Thurs 08:30am-5pm, Fri 8:30am-4:30pm) and ask to speak to The Warmer Homes Team or email warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk.

The application only takes a few minutes and is completely obligation free. To speed up your application, please email or attach income evidence either with or immediately after you have made your application. The project is not due to commence until early Summer, so there may be a delay before we can respond to you. The grant funding is limited so you may be placed on a waiting list.

For more information and advice, please contact our Retrofit Advisors via email at warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk or by calling our Customer Services number on 0345 600 6400.

Advice and information is also available from Community Action Northumberland and The Energy Saving Trust.

Please remember to include your proof of income. The Warmer Homes team will not be able to carry out the checks without this proof and will delay the process.

 

Once the Warmer Homes Team has carried out the eligibility checks, they will contact you with the outcome.

Submission of the application form does not guarantee that your application will be successful. The final decision whether to award an energy efficiency grant will be made by Northumberland County Council, these grants are not statutory. The Council reserves the right to refuse grant if there is evidence to suggest that the applicant has a significant income or are not at risk of fuel poverty due to levels of savings or has a particularly large asset value.

If you are not eligible 

Other schemes may be available such as ECO4, The Great British Insulation Scheme and Boiler Upgrade Grants. For more information and advice, please contact our Community Retrofit Advisors via email at warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk or by calling our Customer Services number on 0345 600 6400. 

What is not included  

  • Improvements not part of the scheme include gas or oil boiler repairs or replacements as it is only for low carbon technologies.
  • ​Insulation is generally considered first as the schemes are delivered on a ‘fabric first’ approach. This means  maximising the performance of the components and materials that make up the building itself, before considering the use of mechanical or electrical building services systems.
  • New build or self-build homes which have not been previously occupied.
  • Social housing – homes are rented out by landlords who are registered with the Regulator of Social Housing. Check the register to see if you are living in Social Housing.

We reserve the right to decline any application if it is not within the intended aim of the scheme, which is to assist those who are currently living with the financial and health effects of fuel poverty. 

Once the measures have been installed, the funding does not cover the cost of decoration and new flooring of the property. 

For us to assess your eligibility, each adult resident living at the address will need to provide evidence. Example evidence of household income:

Evidence of Means Tested Benefit

  •  A full copy of current means-tested benefit award letter showing your name, address and date awarded and two months bank statement within the last three months.
  • Evidence of Income
  • 2 months or 5 weeks of payslips (issued within the last 3 months)
  • Evidence of Occupational Pensions
  • 2 full months’ payslips (issued within the last 3 months) or most recent current annual award letter

Evidence of Self-Employment

  • Most recent HMRC tax return showing annual income.
  • 2 full months’ payslips (issued within the last 3 months) or most recent current annual award letter

Evidence of Non-Means Tested Benefit

  • Current non-means tested benefit award letter (such as state retirement pension, PIP or Attendance Allowance)
  • 2 full month bank statements of each adult resident issued within the last 3 months that clearly shows income.

If you have income that does not fall into these categories, or is not shown on a bank statement, please contact us for further clarification.

If you are placed on a waiting list, you may be asked to provide more up to date evidence when we are ready to proceed.

When making an application you must provide all relevant information requested so that a correct and fair decision can be made. If any of the information you provide is found to be incorrect or misleading the Council will fully investigate and take appropriate action, including criminal prosecution, against anyone dishonestly making a false application.

There are many groups involved in the Warmer Homes project. They each have their own role to play and responsibilities to adhere to. Who they are and what is expected from them can be found in the roles and responsibilities document.

You will need to agree to the agreement for homeowners document before works go ahead on your property.

This agreement may be signed with your application, during eligibility checks or via the assessors/installers.

Please make sure to read this very carefully.

Northumberland County Council is currently working with the following contractors to deliver the Warmer Homes project. 
  • Vibrant: Energy performance certificates
  • Northumberland County Council Retrofit Team: Retrofit assessments (home energy surveys)
  • Cotality: Retrofit assessments, coordination or design
  • Osmosis (ACD)(Domna): Retrofit assessments, coordination or design
  • PHS Home Solutions Limited/0800 Repair:   
  • NextEnergy: Managing Agent  
  • Everwarm: Managing Agent  

The management agents may employ their own subcontractors to carry out installations. Once works commence the managing agents will advise which subcontractors will be carrying out the works.

These companies are partners for the delivery of Warmer Home schemes only.

Information for contractors 

Privacy Notice concerning LA and delivery partner contact details.


 

Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) Privacy Notice 
This notice sets out how the Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will use your personal data, and your rights. It is made under Articles 13 and/or 14 of the UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).    

This notice relates to data collected under the Warmer Homes Team operated by Northumberland County Council, which is funded by grant funded schemes run by DESNZ.   

Northumberland County Council Warmer Homes Privacy Notice  
This Privacy Notice is designed to help you understand how Northumberland County Council which is a registered Data Controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO), will handle your personal information for the Warmer Homes Initiative.  

Eco Privacy Notice
This privacy notice tells you what to expect when we collect your personal information under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This privacy notice also sets out your rights as a data subject.

This Scheme is now closed, if you have any queries relating to this scheme please contact warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk.
Gas-related hazards can pose serious risks in the home.

Northumberland County Council is working with the Gas Safe Charity to carry out gas safety services, repairs and replacements to eligible homes in the county to help prevent potential accidents and improve home safety. Grants of up to a maximum value of £500 can be accessed per intervention and only one intervention can be claimed per household per year. 

What is included 

An intervention may include more than one measure. These measures can include: 

  • Gas Safety Checks             
  • Gas Servicing  
  • Gas Boiler Repairs             
  • Gas Boiler Replacements  
  • Gas Boiler Combustion Analysis         
  • Gas Cookers  
  • Gas Fires               
  • Gas Pipework  
  • Gas Meters               
  • Gas Water Heaters 

Eligibility  

All applicants must live in privately owned accommodation and be one of the following:  
  • 60 years old or over and have low household income and/or a disability  
  • Under 60 and have a low household income and/or a disability or  
  • Considered exceptionally vulnerable by the HIA (This is reviewed on a case by case basis) 
To apply please email warmerhomes@northumberland.gov.uk  
Create a tailored refurbishment plan for your property.

Input your postcode, budget, and priorities into our plan builder tool which can create a tailored refurbishment plan to help you improve your home's energy efficiency. You'll get information and advice about how to make your home warmer, reduce your CO2 emissions, cut your energy bills and more.  
Find out how you can save on your bills.

Get free, personalised advice from Home Energy North East (HEANE).
What to do if you or someone you know is in need of immediate energy assistance.

If you, or someone you know needs energy advice or assistance please contact the Northumberland Communities Together response hub on 01670 620015 from 9am to 6pm 7 days a week or email NCT@northumberland.gov.uk. If you think someone may need immediate support, help or protection ring our emergency response line OneCall on 01670 536400 - 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Be aware of companies asking for your details.

You should not provide personal information to any company that calls you or knocks at your door. Northumberland County Council and delivery partners will never ask you for any money. If you are unsure, please check the list of approved delivery partners.

The council council’s public protection team is asking residents to follow the advice below and keep one step ahead of scammers.  

  • Accept there is a scam for everything and everyone. Scammers can be very friendly and convincing and can contact you at the door, by phone, post or online. 
  • NEVER EVER provide bank details or share your pin number or personal details by email or over the phone unless you are certain who you are giving them to.  
  • Never click on a link from an unknown email source as this can give the scammers access to your computer and personal details.  
  • If you receive a call or message claiming your account has been hacked, a fraudulent transaction has occurred or a loan has been approved, it’s most likely a scam. Only contact your bank using the number you know is correct.  
  • Never be rushed into making a quick decision on deals or offers. Insist on time to get independent advice. Ask for the caller's details then check their credentials e.g. through Trustpilot.  
  • Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links in an email or Facebook. 
  • Trust your instincts. If you’re reading or listening to a message and something doesn’t feel right, trust your gut and hang up or delete it. 
Please see below the beta version of the domestic emissions dashboard.


Click here to view the dashboard
If you are not eligible for any the schemes on offer at present.

Please email the Warmer Homes Team for advice or be notified when any future schemes are released in the future, we will let you know when the applications open.