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Home Upgrade Grants

Devon County Council and Energy Saving Devon have currently put a hold on processing new applications for the Home Upgrade Grant. They have had a lot of eligible applicants and they are reviewing the budget.   The grant runs until 31 March 2025. 

If you would like to be added to the waiting list for this scheme please complete the registration form, which you can find here:  Home Upgrade Grant 2 - Energy Saving Devon.  You may find there is some duplication to the form you have already completed – apologies in advance for this.

If and when Energy Saving Devon are able to accept new applications for this scheme, the Energy Saving Devon team will be in touch to check your financial evidence and progress your application.

Energy efficiency and insulation measures for low-income households without mains gas.

Through the Government-backed Home Upgrade Grant scheme East Devon District Council are working with Devon County Council and the Energy Saving Devon Partnership to install energy efficiency upgrades to homes not connected to the gas grid, at no cost to the household*. These improvements will help make homes warmer and more comfortable, whilst helping lower energy bills and carbon emissions.

Upgrades could include cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, loft insulation, external wall insulation, draught proofing, underfloor insulation, low energy lighting, heat pumps, heating controls, solar PV (where heating is electric), solar thermal and double glazing. 

The measures on offer to individual households will depend on the measures recommended following a free site survey.  They will usually include some sort of insulation.

*To be eligible you’ll need to:

  • Own and live in your property that is not connected to mains gas for heating
  • Have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F, or G.
  • Have a combined gross household income of less than £31,000 a year OR live in an Automatically Eligible Postcode Area* (See FAQs for more details)

This is an exciting opportunity to install improvements in your home which could help reduce fuel bills and carbon emissions.

Our offer is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Find out more and apply today so we can get your application started. There is a limited amount of funding available per household and proof of eligibility will be required.

To apply visit www.energysavingdevon.org.uk/help/hug2/ or phone the Energy Saving Devon Advice Line on 0800 138 6207 (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday) or you can email energysavingdevon@cse.org.uk

Home Upgrade Grant Frequently asked questions

  • Can someone apply on my behalf?

A relative, friend or support worker can assist you in applying if you grant them permission, however the application must be in the name of the homeowner.

  • What are automatically eligible postcode areas?

Homeowners who live in an automatically eligible postcode area do not need to provide any evidence of income in order to qualify for support under scheme.  You can check to see if your postcode is eligible by visiting www.energysavingdevon.org.uk/help/hug2/postcodes/ or contacting the Energy Saving Devon Advice Line (energysavingdevon@cse.org.uk or 0800 138 6207, 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)

Energy Saving Devon is a partnership between all the Local Authorities in Devon, their strategic partners and local community energy organisations. It is administered by Devon County Council. Funding is provided by the Governments Home Upgrade Grant.

  • How long will it take?

Once your eligibility checks have been carried out and you have been approved for the scheme we will contact you to arrange a site survey.  A designer will work with your surveyor to assess what measures would be appropriate for your home and can be offered within the budgets available.  It may be 2-3 months between your initial survey and you receiving an offer from us.  Once you have accepted an offer it should take 1-2 months for the measures to be installed.  We will carry out a final survey at the end of the works to check the quality of the work undertaken and sign everything off.

  • Do I have to get my own installer?

No, once you have approved the measures that we are able to offer you we will select a suitable installer within your area to install your energy efficiency measures. 

  • Do I get to choose what measures I want?

What we are able to offer you will depend on the measures identified as the most impactful by our surveyor.  You do not have to accept the measures that are offered to you.

  • Who owns any appliances installed in my home once completed?

You will be the owner of any measures which is installed in your home.  It will be your responsibility to maintain these going forward and you will have complete ownership.

Energy Saving Advice

Energy Saving Advice – Energy Saving Devon Energy Saving Advice - Energy Saving Devon

Retrofit, is when a property is fitted with energy efficiency or renewable energy measures after it has been built. Retrofitting your home helps to cut down on the amount of energy you use to heat, cool or power your home.

This focus on energy efficiency is why retrofitting differs from renovating a house or making home improvements which are commonly designed to improve a home’s look or functionality.

Why retrofit your home?

Retrofitting your home can help to lower your energy bills, make your home warmer, improve indoor air quality; and reduce your carbon footprint. Britain’s 28 million existing homes are responsible for around 15% of the UK’s carbon emissions, according to the Committee for Climate Change. So join the retrofit movement.

Types of retrofitting

Retrofitting can range from small activities such as fitting energy-efficient light bulbs to installing state of the art heating systems. Retrofitting measures include:

  • Insulating roofs
  • Insulating walls
  • Insulating floors
  • Installing double-glazed windows
  • Improved ventilation design
  • Reducing draughts, primarily around windows and doors
  • More efficient heating and hot water systems
  • Installing heat pumps or solar panels
Does your home need retrofitting?

Our Energy Saving Devon Plan Builder can help you decide which measures are most suitable for your home depending on your aim.

What are the benefits of retrofitting?

Retrofitting your home can radically improve your comfort; energy use and subsequent carbon footprint; improve your health and reduce your bills.

Individual homes or building owners can contact Energy Saving Devon for advice on measures to make their homes more energy efficient, healthier and more comfortable.

See some examples of people who have carried out retrofit projects in their homes

Is financial assistance available to me?

Costs can vary depending on the size of your house, its energy efficiency, and how old it is. Just as there is no one-size-fits-all approach to retrofitting, there is no set cost of improvements.  

Ultimately, what you pay as part of a retrofit you will hope to get back in long-term energy savings. You can get more advice on costs when you speak to one of Energy Saving Devon’s trusted advisors or visit our funding page.

Landlords and minimum energy efficiency standards

For landlords the retrofit of property may increase the overall value and rental income of the home. And helps landlords comply with the laws on minimum efficiency standards in private rented homes. Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Grants for Landlords

Tenants of private rented properties can apply for grants up to a cap. The landlord will need contribute at least one third towards the cost of the work or a minimum £3500.

For landlords the retrofit of property may increase the overall value and rental income of the home. And helps landlords comply with the laws on minimum efficiency standards in private rented homes. Domestic private rented property: minimum energy efficiency standard - landlord guidance - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Exeter Community Energy - Free energy saving advice

Free Energy Saving advice from Exeter Community Energy. Healthy Homes for Wellbeing, a new project from Exeter Community Energy (ECOE), is a free energy advice service for Exeter residents. As well as regular drop in clinics and advice surgeries around East Devon, free home visits are also available for those who are eligible.

Fully trained home energy advisors provide:

  • Energy saving tips
  • Help with changing supplier or tariff and applying for discounts
  • Referral for help with benefits and energy debt
  • Information about grants availability for insulation and boiler upgrades
  • Signing up for priority services register
  • Free energy saving measures (e.g. LED light bulbs, draught proofing) 

Local Energy Advice Program

LEAP Home Visits

ECOE has partnered with LEAP, (Local Energy Advice Partnership), a free home visit service for vulnerable residents. Important advice, support and energy saving measures are provided to eligible households.

The criteria for eligibility are deliberately broad to cater for the wide range of issues that contribute to vulnerability and fuel poverty. To be eligible for home visits, only one criteria needs to be met including having a low income; receiving tax credits, housing benefits, income and disability related benefits; have a long term illness (physical or mental) or disability; recent bereavement.

To learn more about LEAP, to find out if you are eligible for a free home visit, or to find your nearest drop in energy clinic, contact the ECOE Energy Advice Team:

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

Eco Flex information and statement of intent page.