Grant funding for home energy efficiency improvements
The Home Upgrade Grant scheme (HUG) is a government programme that offers residents on low incomes living in off-gas grid homes the opportunity to benefit from fully funded home energy efficiency improvements including low-carbon heating. This is to make homes more comfortable to live in, reduce energy bills, and supports the governments net zero target.
Eligibility Criteria
Your household is likely to qualify if you meet all these conditions:
- You do not use mains gas as your source of fuel to heat your home
- You are an owner-occupier or a private tenant*
- Your home has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G (An EPC will be completed for free if you haven’t got one)
*For eligible owner-occupiers, the work will be fully funded. However, if you rent your property, your landlord will be required to pay a contribution towards the cost. We will need their contact details and permission to complete your application.
And one of the following statements is true:
- Route 1: You live in a pre-qualified postcode area set by the government
- Route 2: A permanent resident receives a qualifying means tested benefit.
- Route 3: Your combined annual household income is less than £36,000 (before tax)
Applying for grant funding
The Council is currently taking applications for HUG funding. Applications are processed on behalf of the Council by Marches Energy Agency (MEA). Marches Energy Agency is a charity that delivers practical solutions to reduce cold homes, promote energy reduction and encourage the uptake of renewable energy. They will remain a point of contact should you have any issues during the process.
Three ways to apply:
- By phone - 0800 677 1332 (Option 2)
- By email -
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
More information
Read our case studies of residents in the Derbyshire Dales who have benefitted from funding in previous rounds of the HUG scheme.
Work will be completed by Trustmark registered installer, Broad Oak, and overseen by the Council.
Broad Oak Properties ECO Ltd - Trustmark Reference: 1716348 01782 550371 -
Home energy efficiency advice
The Energy Saving Trust provide up to date and useful advice about how to save energy around your home including tips on reducing heat losses through draught proofing and insulation.
The government provides a service that makes recommendations for home improvements that could make your property cheaper to heat and keep warm.
For each recommendation you can see an estimated cost of making the improvement, how much you could save on your bills and next steps if you want to make the improvement
The government Help for households campaign provides details of the full range of financial support currently available.
Our Benefits section gives details of the Energy Bills Support Scheme and alternative fuel payments.
A new energy efficiency scheme, Connected for Warmth, is offering free cavity wall and loft insulation to households nationwide. If your Council Tax Band is A-D, then you could be eligible.
Free Air Source Heat Pumps are available to households that don’t currently have a central heating system in any Council Tax Band, if your circumstances make you eligible.
These offers are free for both property owners and landlords. Funding is available on a first come first served basis.
Derbyshire Dales District Council is supportive of this scheme.
Connected for Warmth is an awarding-winning programme, managed by AgilityEco in partnership with Affordable Warmth Solutions, and funded by National Grid.
To find out more visit their website or call 0800 995 6564 for insulation, 0121 592 0162 for heat pumps.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme designed to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce carbon emissions.
The ECO scheme works by placing an obligation on medium and large energy suppliers. Obligated suppliers must promote measures that improve the ability of low-income, fuel-poor and vulnerable households to heat their homes.
In order to benefit from ECO funding your property will need to require energy efficiency upgrades. The specific measures that would benefit your home would be determined by a retrofit assessment. You must own your own home or have permission from your landlord, including if the property is owned by a social housing provider or management company.
The Council does not administer the ECO scheme.
Local Authority ECO Flex declarations are issued by Derbyshire County Council under our statement of intent. The statement sets out our flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 to March 2026. Neither Council endorses any ECO contractors or is involved in managing the progress or quality of any work.
Home 'retrofit'
Doing more complex works to improve the energy efficiency of existing homes is sometimes referred to as 'retrofit'. Put simply this is the process of making changes to existing buildings so that energy consumption and emissions are reduced. Done properly improvements should lead to a more comfortable, healthier home - ideally with reduced fuel bills.
Making energy efficiency improvements can be complicated, particularly in older properties like many of those in the Derbyshire Dales. Getting the right advice and work done to a high quality standard is key.
The Government endorsed Trustmark website can provide links to competent skilled tradespeople to carry out home energy efficiency improvement work.
Home Energy Advice Team (HEAT) Hub provides tailored, step-by-step Home Energy Plans to help improve the energy efficiency of ‘hard-to-treat’ homes. They can help you understand which energy upgrades are suitable for your home, what the installation process entails and to build your confidence and knowledge around costs and savings. Their support is completely free and open to homeowners within Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire. They also provide a range of useful resources and case studies.
If you are considering making changes to your home and unsure whether you will require planning permission you are encouraged to seek pre application advice from the relevant planning authority. The planning portal gives general advice on common projects such as installing solar PV panels or heat pumps.
Staying warm and well
The District Council works with partners to reduce fuel poverty, improve the energy efficiency of homes across the Dales and to help fight the effects of climate change. Being an active member of the Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire Local Authorities' Energy Partnership, helps to ensure that we work effectively towards our goals.
The District Council works with Marches Energy Agency, Derbyshire County Council and local GPs to identify those people who live in energy inefficient houses, who find it difficult to afford to improve their homes and who suffer from chronic health problems associated with living in cold conditions.
You can access free advice and help on staying warm & well at home through our FREE helpline 0800 667 1332 or by emailing
If you have a health condition that is made worse by the cold and you struggle to afford to heat your home, the Healthy Homes Project may be able to help or can direct you to other sources of support: 01629 536919.
Living in a privately rented home
If you live in a privately rented home Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) regulations may apply. This means that the property should have a minimum EPC Band E rating.
The District Council’s Environmental Health Team is in contact with all private landlords within the Derbyshire Dales whose rented properties fail to meet the minimum standard as well as those landlords who haven’t yet commissioned an EPC. Officers will offer landlords the guidance and support they need to achieve EPC Band E or above, and, in circumstances where this can’t be achieved, support landlords who may be eligible to lodge an exemption.
For advice on the Minimum Energy Efficiency Regulations, as a tenant or to understand your responsibilities as a landlord to meet the requirements please contact Environmental Health at
Living in a Platform Housing Group property
Platform Housing Group are committed to improving the energy efficiency of their housing stock and have a long-term plan to ensure all properties are improved to a minimum of an EPC C by 2030.
Home Energy Conservation Act 1995 (HECA)
Under the Home Energy Conservation Act (HECA), the UK Government requires all local authorities to publish reports demonstrating what energy conservation measures they have adopted to improve the energy efficiency of residential accommodation within their area.
These reports are currently submitted every two years - with the HECA report 2023 being the latest available.
