Both schemes can help eligible homeowners, private tenants and landlords to improve the energy efficiency of their homes while reducing their energy costs and carbon footprint for free. If you are a landlord, you must have a maximum of four properties.

A survey will identify which scheme and the possible upgrades are suitable for your home. This will include a free updated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) assessment.

If eligible, you may be offered one or more of the below installations:

• Insulation and ventilation upgrades to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer.
• A low carbon upgrade to your current heating system.
• Heating controls which make sure you only use heat when you need it.
• An energy efficient hot water solution to keep your water warm for longer.
• Photovoltaic solar panels to generate electricity.
• Energy efficient lighting which has low running costs.

To help you determine which scheme is best for you please follow the process below and then refer to further details on the relevant scheme below.

Eligibility process:

1. Is your home difficult and expensive to keep warm?

No - Not eligible.
Yes - Please go to question 2.

2. Do any of the below bullet points apply to you?

• You live in a household with a combined annual income of less than £31,000.
• You receive certain income related, means tested benefits.
• Your home is a council tax band within A-D.

No - Not eligible.
Yes - Please go to question 3.

3. Are you a homeowner or a private tenant?

No - Not eligible.
Yes - Please go to question 4.

4. Do you live in a home without a mains gas heating system? Such homes could be heated by oil, coal, LPG gas or electric heaters.

No - You may be eligible for the ECO4 scheme.
Yes - You may be eligible for the HUG2 scheme.

Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2)

The deadline for applications for the Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) is Monday 31 of March 2025.

Home Upgrade Grant 2 (HUG2) is a government funded scheme. The scheme is for homes that do not have mains gas heating systems. You may still be eligible if your home has a gas cooking system but not a gas heating system.

The council are working AgilityEco who will assess eligibility and carry out works on the scheme.

For more information on the HUG2 scheme, please visit www.hugapply.co.uk/author/gsenzh/, or call 0800 1078883.

Energy Company Obligation Scheme Flex Phase 4 (ECO4+)

The deadline for applications for the Energy Company Obligation Scheme Flex Phase 4 (ECO4) is Tuesday 31 March 2026.

Energy Company Obligation Scheme Flex Phase 4 (ECO4) is a scheme funded by medium to large energy suppliers, who fund the installation of energy efficiency measures in households.

The ECO4+ scheme can allow for broader eligibility requirements which are outlined in the councils Statement of Intent document.

The council has partnered with charity, the National Energy Foundation (NEF), who will administer the scheme with a framework of local installers.

For more information on the ECO4) scheme, please visit https www.bhbh.org.uk/make-a-referral/, or call 0800 1070044, or email bhbh@nef.org.uk.

Please note: The BHBH website is being updated and will show Berkshire as an eligible area soon. In the meantime, please continue to apply by completing the online form, calling the phone number or sending an email to the address quoted above.

We encourage you to apply as soon as possible to ensure adequate time to assess and deliver the works.

If you are an installer and you would like to onboard please visit the NEF’s Supplier Network website, or call 01908 699 992 to apply.