Energy efficiency and heating grants
If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, your home is cold and you have a low income, you may be eligible to help from one of the following organisations (eligibility conditions apply).
First steps
It's always worth contacting your energy supplier first as they may have support schemes available.
If your energy supplier is unable to help, contact Citizens Advice (opens new window) or call 0808 223 1133. They should be able to check what options you have and ensure you are receiving all the benefits available to you.
Warm Homes Local Grant - Taking applications for the waiting list
This grant is for private owners or people who are privately renting, including landlords.
You can get free energy-saving improvements made to your home if you're on a low income, getting certain benefits or living in a certain postcode area.
What you can get
If you're eligible and your local council has funding available, they will arrange a free home survey to see how your home could be made more energy efficient. They might suggest improvements like installing:
- wall, loft and underfloor insulation
- air source heat pumps
- smart controls
- solar panels
Eligibility
To be eligible, your home must:
- be in England
- be privately owned by you or owned by you and you are the landlord
- be rented from a private landlord
- have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D, E, F or G - if you do not know your home's EPC, you can find it out when you apply
Your household income must usually be £36,000 a year or less. If you earn more than that, you might still be eligible if either:
- you live in a priority postcode area (these are set by central government, not the local council)
- someone in your household is getting certain benefits
If you are a private owner, you will not have to pay towards getting the work done.
If you are a landlord, your first property is covered 100% and any additional property will be covered up to a maximum of 50%.
Gateshead Council will organise and pay for any improvement work the contractor has agreed with you.
Check eligibility and apply (opens new window)
Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) - Closed to new applicants
ECO4 (opens new window) is an Energy Company Obligation from the UK Government. If you are eligible, the scheme provides homeowners with:
- reduced cost or free home insulation
- reduced cost or free new replacement boiler or Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system
(In rare cases, homeowners may be asked for a financial contribution if the work required is substantial. It is the homeowner's choice to accept or reject this offer based on their own personal circumstances and abilities.)
In Gateshead, the scheme can only be completed by 0800 REPAIR (opens new window). Gateshead Council does not endorse any other companies to provide the ECO4 (opens new window) scheme.
To qualify for ECO4 (opens new window), all three of the following must apply:
- You must own your home (or be a landlord of a private rented property)
- Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) with a rating of D or below - Check Your EPC (opens new window)
- Your home's EPC must be shown to improve significantly by having the ECO4 works completed
You must also be eligible in one of these categories:
- you have an annual household income of less than £31,000 a year
- a permanent resident of your home has a qualifying medical condition
- you, or any permanent resident of your home, must be receiving a qualifying benefit
(Qualifying benefits include Universal Credit, Pension Guarantee Credit, Pension Savings Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Child Benefit, Housing Benefit)
We do not decide your eligibility. The contractor (0800 REPAIR (opens new window)) checks whether you qualify, based on Ofgem rules.
0800 REPAIR (opens new window) will come to your home to survey it and ask about your personal circumstances. If eligible, they will:
- install any insulation required
- replace your old boiler with a new one, or install an Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system
Not all boilers are covered in the scheme and if your home already has existing insulation, this may also not be covered.
Once installed, the property's owner will own the assets.
Contact details
0800 REPAIR
0191 3000 630 or [email protected]
Gateshead Council Energy Services
0191 433 2090 or [email protected]
More information
GOV.UK Help from your energy supplier: the Energy Company Obligation (opens new window)
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is now closed.