Sustainable Warmth Scheme

What is the Sustainable Warmth Scheme?

The scheme is ran by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), who allocated funds to Local Authorities under a competition based bid.  Hartlepool were delighted to won a share of the funding and were awarded over £1.8 million to help upgrade the energy efficiency of homes in our borough.     

How much is available per qualifying household?

If you are on the gas grid, we can spend up to an average £10k per household. Homes that don’t have a gas connection will get further assistance to upgrade the energy efficiency up to an average of £20k per household. 

How long is the scheme running? 

All works must be completed by March 2023, although applications are expected to close this year.

What is an EPC?

This is a rating of the energy efficiency performance of your home – Energy Performance Certificate.  If you’ve bought or sold a house recently, you’ll probably have one already.  The rating is from A to G, A being the best and G being the worst performing homes. 

How can I check to see if I have or what my EPC is? 

https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

How do I get an EPC?

Our contractor may be able to help, if you apply for the scheme, you will need surveys of your house for energy efficiency saving recommendations and they will know at that stage whether your house is likely to be a D, E, F or G rated property, if so, our contractor can carry out an EPC for you, free of charge under the scheme.

What EPC ratings are included in the scheme?

EPC’s rated D, E, F & G are only accepted on the scheme.

Do I have to pay a contribution towards the works being carried out?

If you are a homeowner, living in your property, and qualify under the eligibility rules, then the cost will be covered 100% by the scheme. Landlords are expected to contribute one third of the total cost.

Can I have my boiler replaced?

We are not able to replace boilers under this scheme, however, there may be help under the governments ECO4 scheme, you can contact a local installer to see if you qualify.

Is double glazing available?

Yes we can offer some double glazing, however, we can only replace single glazed windows with double glazing under the current scheme rules.

Do I own the solar panels or does the council?

If solar panels are fitted, you own them, they are paid by the funding – no one owns part of your roof as was the case on some previous schemes.  

Is the £30K limit include the whole household?

This includes the gross earnings of every adult in the household including any benefits or pension payments, however, if permanent member of the house receives a means tested benefit – you will qualify under that eligibly criteria.

What benefits are eligible to qualify?

All means tested benefits which include:

Universal Credit, Working and Child Tax Credits, Income Support, Income-based Job Seekers Allowance (JSA), Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Carers Allowance, Pension Credit Guarantee.