What is the Warm Homes initiative?
The UK government has announced plans to raise minimum energy efficiency standards for low-income homes in England by 2030. The Warm Homes: Local Grant will help low-income homeowners and private tenants with energy performance upgrades and cleaner heating, as part of a wider mission to achieve net zero 2050 through carbon savings.
This will be the biggest potential boost to home energy standards in history, enhancing home energy measures such as insulation, solar panels and heating systems. Currently, privately rented homes must meet Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) level E whereas social housing has no minimum energy efficiency standard at all. The scheme proposes to enhance privately owned homes to achieve an Energy Performance Certificate C or equivalent by 2030.
Applications are due to open this October, keep an eye on this page for information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/warm-homes-local-grant
What does Warm Homes cover?
Upgrades for eligible homes will cover renewable energy sources such as solar panels and air source heat pumps (ASHPs), plus the installation of energy performance measures, including insulation and draught proofing, helping to reduce household heating costs and carbon emissions.
Who is the Warm Homes initiative for?
Starting in January 2025, local authorities in England will provide energy performance upgrades and low-carbon heating to privately owned homes, including both owner-occupied and privately rented properties, with Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) or Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) between D and G.
This initiative applies exclusively to existing domestic dwellings. New-builds and self-builds that have not been previously occupied will not be eligible.
The scheme aims to support low-income households in England with three eligibility pathways to access funding:
- Low-income households in areas of deprivation*
- Households with an annual gross income below £36000
- Households which can provide evidence of specified means tested benefit
- Properties must have an EPC EER rating band D - G
*A list of eligible postcodes for low-income areas is provided here.
Park homes are also eligible for energy performance upgrades, but they will need an equivalent energy performance assessment to be carried out. All properties with an EPC band A - C are not eligible in all circumstances.
Landlords with properties in the private rented sector may receive one home fully funded per landlord, and any additional properties will require a 50% cost contribution. Social housing landlords will be required to contribute 50% of the total cost for any upgrades, but there will be no financial contribution expected or required from tenants.
Why are GTEC courses crucial to the home heating sector?
The UK Government has committed to upgrade five million homes over the next five years, meaning there will be a significantly increased demand for qualified installers and energy assessors to deliver on low carbon home improvements making this a great opportunity for suitably trained tradespeople.
Ambitions to achieve net zero by 2050 will be realised by increased UK generated green energy, new builds meeting the Future Homes Standard and on-going energy efficiency upgrades to existing housing stock. The importance of staying up to date with the latest skills and knowledge is crucial to taking advantage of these market forces.
GTEC’s specialised training is compliant with recognised industry standards. Existing plumbing, heating and electrical installers can enhance their skill set by training in renewable technologies, such as solar PV and heat pumps.
We also deliver free online energy efficiency upgrade courses, for installers or anyone interested in learning more about insulation and draught proofing measures, including budding DIYers
The Warm Homes initiative will also see a rise in home energy assessment roles and thanks to Government funding, GTEC can offer subsidised retrofit assessor and coordinator training.
Now is a great time to qualify or upskill in renewable technologies and other energy saving solutions, ready for the expanding market and accelerated drive to net zero.
