Home energy efficiency

Residential emissions are responsible 30% of Chichester districts emissions. 15% of these come from gas for heating our homes and cooking, 8% comes from electricity used in the home and 7% of emissions come from 'other' sources. Therefore, improving home energy efficiency will help us to drastically cut carbon emissions. It will also help ensure that homes are warmer and waste less energy, which should make them more affordable to heat and cool.

We have over 57,000 homes in our district, and we can assume that the nearly all homes will need some energy efficiency improvements measures. We hope the information provided helps you get started.

How to get started with home energy efficiency improvements 

1. Find out whether you are eligible for a grant by clicking on the section on this page that best fits your household. 
2. If eligible for grants, you can find out more details and how to apply in the Grants and Schemes Summary section on this page. 
3. If you are not eligible for grants you may find it useful to get a Whole House Retrofit plan. This can provide specific advice on what you can do to make your house more energy efficient, how much it is likely to cost and how to find trusted installers to do the work. 
4. Find out more about different home energy efficiency measures, such as insulation, heat pumps and solar. We recommend visiting Energy saving trust - energy at home (opens new window) which offers guides on home energy efficiency. It explains different things you can do, what they are, approximate costs and how much money they can save you.
5. You can also find out more information on the West Sussex Affordable Energy (opens new window) website which provides support to all West Sussex local authorities and residents.
6. Check out our handy leaflet which summarises the grants and schemes to help with home energy efficiency  Energy grants leaflet (Word doc) [871KB]
7. You can also use the Government's new home energy efficiency tool (opens new window) to learn more about measures that are suitable for your home and whether you are eligible for grants to help install them. 

I am a homeowner - the annual household income is below £36,000

If the total annual income of all working adults in your household is less than £31,000, or you are in receipt of a means-tested benefit, you may be eligible for the following grants and support to help make your home energy efficient:

• Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant
• Great British Insulation Scheme
• Warmer Homes (Home Upgrade Grant - HUG) - only available for homes that do not use gas for heating.
• Chichester Warm Homes Initiative

To find out more see our Grants and Schemes Summary section. You may also be eligible for free support and advice. Please visit Help with energy bills for a list of organisations that can help.

I am a homeowner - the annual household income is above £36,000

If the total annual income of all working adults in your household is over £31,000* and you are not eligible for full grants, you may wish to consider the following:

• The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is a government grant which provides financial support towards installation of a heat pump when replacing a gas boiler.
• The new Great British Insulation Scheme can provide free or reduced cost insulation to properties in council tax bands A-D.
• Solar Together is a group buying scheme for renewable solar panels.
• A Whole House Retrofit plan can provide specific advice on what you can do to make your house more energy efficient.

To find out more see our Grants and Schemes Summary section.

Some grants have a scale of income eligibility depending on the number of dependent children, so if you have 3 or more children it may be worth enquiring if your household income is above this level.

I am landlord or tenant

Landlords are required by law to ensure their rental properties have an energy performance certificate rating of at least E. Chichester District Council has a Chichester District Council has a Landlord Accreditation Scheme to provide support and recognise landlords who are meeting standards relating to the condition and management of their properties.

If you live in privately rented properties: 

• Landlords can get funding towards installation of a heat pump when replacing gas boilers through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
• If the tenant meets low-income eligibility criteria, landlords may also be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant or the Warmer Homes Home Upgrade Grant (if the property does not use gas for heating). Please note that landlords with a property portfolio of more than 4 houses are not eligible for the Warmer Homes Home Upgrade Grant.
• Landlords are usually required to contribute to up to 50% of costs. However, the grants can make a significant contribution towards installing measures which will make your property more energy efficient.
• Both the landlord and tenant need to give permission and provide evidence that the eligibility criteria are met.

If you live in social housing:

• Contact your housing provider to find out what they are doing to make their properties more energy efficient.
• You won't be eligible for most of the grants listed on this page because the government has a separate grant for social housing providers.
• However, you may be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant if your rent is above the market rate. In this case it would be considered as private-rented sector and you or the landlord may be required to contribute 50% of costs.
   

If you live in a shared ownership property:

• If you do not have responsibility for maintenance of your property, you will not be eligible for most grants. However, you may be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) grant if your rent is above the market rate. In this case it would be considered as private-rented sector and you or the landlord may be required to contribute 50% of costs.
• If you are responsible for maintenance of your property, you may be eligible for some of the grants listed on this page - please enquire directly to the contact details provided for each grant/ scheme for further clarification.

To find out more about each grant see our Grants and Schemes Summary section.

I have received a letter or phone call - is it a scam?

We work with partners who may send letters to eligible households to promote grants. Any letter from one of our partners will include the Chichester District Council logo. Council staff will never telephone residents directly to offer grants or sell anything. 

If you receive a letter directly from an installer they are likely to be promoting the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme. To deliver this scheme they must be working in partnership with an energy company or be registered with the National Energy Foundation's installer list. We recommend you ask what energy supplier they are working with and you can check that by contacting the energy supplier directly. To find energy supplier contact details see Ofgem's list of energy suppliers. (opens new window). To check if they are on the National Energy Foundation installer list please contact the Citizens Advice West Sussex Energy Team on 0800 145 6879. 

The council recommends that anyone looking for, or approached by, installers to do work on their home check that the company is registered with TrustMark (opens new window), which is a Government Endorsed Quality Scheme for work carried out in or around your home. We also recommend that anyone looking to install renewable energy (heat pumps or solar panels) checks that any company is registered with the MCS Accreditation Scheme (opens new window). If you are looking for companies to provide insulation in your home they should be registered with the National Insulation Association (NIA) (opens new window). Companies registered with these schemes have been vetted and meet high industry standards.

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs)

Most grants require that the property has a valid Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). When a house is built, rented or sold it must have an EPC. This gives information on how energy efficient the building is and has a rating from A, which is most efficient, to G which is least efficient.

You can check your home's EPC rating here on the Government's find a energy certificate service (opens new window). If your property does not have an EPC but you are eligible for a grant, the administrator of the scheme will usually arrange for an EPC assessment to be undertaken on your property to check the building meets the eligibility criteria. 

Home energy efficiency grants and schemes

If you need help completing any application or enquiry forms, please contact the Citizens Advice Energy Advice Service (opens new window).

If you are eligible for any of the grants for those on low-incomes, you may also be eligible for SSEN Enabling Works funding (opens new window). This can provide help to clear lofts, move furniture or other work that helps enable the grant measures to be installed where the homeowner is not able to do this themselves. The application for the funds must be submitted by the installer or the organisation processing the grant application, so do mention if if you are approved for a grant (e.g. the Energy Company Obligation, Warmer Homes or Great British Insulation Scheme).

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

Grant description

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant provides £7,500 towards the purchase and installation of an air source or ground source heat pump, or £5,000 grant towards a biomass boiler. This grant makes a substantial contribution towards the costs of installing a heat pump or biomass boiler but would not cover the whole costs. 

Who can apply

All homeowners 

Who is eligible

• To be eligible for the grant a homeowner must have a valid Energy Performance Certificate. You can check your home's EPC rating here on the Government's find a energy certificate service (opens new window). This page also has information on how to get an EPC if you do not already have one for your property.
• The certificate cannot have any outstanding recommendations for loft and cavity wall insulation. If you need insulation check if you are eligible to get free or reduced cost insulation through the Great British Insulation Scheme. 
• The grant does not have an income restriction which means high or low income homeowners can apply for it.
• You will not be eligible if you live in a new build property (unless self-built) or social housing.

Application process

• The heat pump installer must be MCS certified. To find accredited installers visit MCS accredited installers (opens new window)
• Your heat pump installer will be responsible for applying for the voucher.
• The scheme is expected to operate a first come first served basis.
• The voucher for a air source heat pump will be valid for three months and the voucher for a ground source heat pump will be valid for six months.
• This grant replaced the Renewable Heat Incentive which closed to new applicants in March 2022. If you had successfully applied for the Renewable Heat Incentive, your payments will keep coming through as normal. These payments will continue until the end of your contract (a total of 7 years).

How to apply

Boiler Upgrade Scheme (opens new window)

Warmer Homes (Home Upgrade Grant)

Grant description 

• The Home Upgrade Grant is only for properties that do not use mains gas for heating.
• The grant will provide energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating (for example solar panels and a heat pump).

Who can apply

Homeowners, tenants, landlords 

Who is eligible

• Your home has an EPC rating of D, E, F or G, and one of the following:
• You have a total household annual income of £36,000 or less (before housing costs/bills)
• You have a total household annual income of £20,000 or less after housing costs (mortgage/rent and council tax)
• You receive a means-tested benefit
• ​​If your home is within an LSOA (Lower Super Output Area) 1-3 postcode area you may qualify even if you do not have a low household income. Letters have been sent to properties in these areas. 
• You can check your home's EPC rating on the Government's find a energy certificate service (opens new window). 
• Please note that landlords with a property portfolio of more than 4 houses are not eligible for the Warmer Homes Home Upgrade Grant.
• Park homes are no longer eligible for the HUG grant due to the government quote for park homes being met.

How to apply

Warmer Homes (opens new window)

Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme

ECO4 Flex and Great British Insulation Scheme Statement of Intent 

Chichester District Council works in partnership with other councils in West Sussex to deliver the Energy Company Obligation and Great British Insulation schemes. The Statement of Intent sets out the council's flexible eligibility criteria for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme from April 2022 to March 2026 and the Great British Insulation Scheme until March 2026. You can view the ECO4 and Great British Insulation Scheme Statement of Intent (opens new window)

Grant description

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme. This scheme requires some energy suppliers to help with the cost of improving a home's energy efficiency. These suppliers will provide grants to pay the whole cost or some of the cost of these improvements. These improvements can include wall insulation and boiler replacements. 

If you are contacted directly by an installer promoting this scheme, please check they are registered with the National Energy Foundation who are helping the council to administer this scheme. You can check whether an installer is on their approved list by contacting their Better Homes Better Health helpline on 0800 107 0044.

Who can apply

• Homeowners (annual household income is below £31,000).
• Or you may be referred if someone in your household is vulnerable (see below)

Who is eligible

• The eligibility criteria for ECO is quite complex. The scheme requires a household to be low income and experiencing some kind of vulnerability or fuel poverty. 
• You may be eligible if you meet one of the following criteria:
• Household income less than £31,000 or you are in receipt of a means tested benefits
• And the property has EPC rating of D, E, F or G (E, F or G only for rented properties)
• And someone in your household is vulnerable (under 4 or over 65 years of age; has a health condition that makes them vulnerable to cold)
• Or you may be referred by your energy company or CAB if you are struggling to pay energy bills

How to apply

You can apply directly through your energy supplier. For details see the Ofgem list of ECO supplier contact details (opens new window) or contact the Citizens Advice Energy Advice Service (opens new window).

Great British Insulation Scheme

Grant description

The Great British Insulation Scheme is a new government scheme designed to insulate homes across the country. It aims to tackle fuel poverty and help reduce energy bills and support low-income and vulnerable households.

If you are contacted directly by an installer promoting this scheme, please check they are registered with the National Energy Foundation, who are helping the council to administer this scheme. You can check whether an installer is on their approved list by contacting their Better Homes Better Health helpline on 0800 107 0044.

The Great British Insulation Scheme is delivered by energy suppliers. They will assess your home, either through a desktop assessment or by arranging a visit to your home. What the energy supplier can offer will depend on this assessment.

If you need to pay anything, you'll find out after the assessment. You can decide not to go ahead if you do not agree with the assessment or costs.

The most common measures installed under this scheme are loft insulation or cavity wall insulation. These may require a financial contribution. Other insulation measures such as solid wall insulation may be available, but the energy supplier is only likely to offer them to you with a substantial financial contribution.

Who can apply

• All homeowners and tenants with permission from landlords.

Who is eligible

Homeowners whose properties are in Council Tax bands A-D with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D-G. You can check your home's EPC rating here on the Government's find a energy certificate service (opens new window). Those on low incomes may get insulation for free. Those not on low incomes may be asked to pay a contribution dependent on earnings. 

How to apply

Great British Insulation Scheme (opens new window) 

Solar Together

Grant description 

Solar Together is a council-supported group buying scheme for solar panels. It aims to help residents generate clean electricity at home and reduce their impact on the environment. It provides high-quality solar panels and battery storage systems from accredited installers at a competitive price.

If there is no active scheme running, you can register your interest on the Solar Together Chichester (opens new window)  webpage to be notified when the next scheme is launched. When you register online, you will be asked questions about your house, roof, and electricity usage. Once a scheme goes live you will be provided with a quote for solar panels for your property. You can ask for a no-obligation quote for battery storage too if you have, or plan to have an electric car charging point. There will be a deadline by which you must accept the quote to take up the offer. 

Who can apply

• Homeowners and landlords

How to apply

Register your interest at Solar Together Chichester (opens new window)

Chichester Warm Homes Initiative

Grant description

The Chichester Warm Homes Initiative is a scheme that we have introduced as a council to help keep people warm. It could contribute towards the installation of an efficient heating system, as well as loft and wall insulation.

The maximum grant available is £10,000 for homeowners living in on-gas areas, and up to £25,000 for those in off-gas areas.

Home owners and landlords letting their properties to tenants on a low income can apply for funding for energy efficiency and low carbon measures where the occupant is in fuel poverty rating of F or G.

Available measures include:

•  a whole-house efficient heating system,
•  thermal insulation,
• boiler repair,
• hot water tank repair/replacement, and;
• window repair or replacement.

Landlords will be required to pay 50% of the cost. The cost of the works is noted on the local land charge register and must be repaid if the property is sold. For Landlords the funding must be repaid if the property is sold within 5 years. 

Who can apply

Homeowners (annual household income is below £25,000)

Who is eligible

Applicants must either be in receipt of a means tested benefit, Disabled Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment or a household income of less than £25,000 pa less than £16,000 in savings. 

How to apply

Apply for the Warm Homes initiative