The UK Government has just announced some new measures under its Warm Homes Plan, designed to improve energy efficiency and make homes more affordable to heat. Whether you’re a homeowner, landlord, or managing public sector buildings like schools or hospitals, these changes could have a direct impact on how you heat your property.
Here’s a quick look at what’s happening and how you can benefit.
The Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund (SHDF) provides financial support for social housing providers to make energy efficiency improvements to their properties. Wave 3 is the latest round of funding, and its final guidance has just been released. This fund is a big deal for social landlords, as it covers improvements like upgrading insulation, improving windows and doors, and installing more efficient heating systems.
The main goal here is to help social housing meet higher energy performance standards, which will reduce both energy costs for tenants and carbon emissions. For landlords managing social housing, this is an opportunity to future-proof properties and align with the Government’s wider energy efficiency targets. It’s worth noting that making these upgrades sooner rather than later could also help with compliance if future regulations tighten.
This scheme, previously known as the Local Authority Retrofit Scheme (LARS), has now been rebranded as the Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme. It is targeted at low-income private households, offering financial assistance to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. These grants are intended for essential upgrades, such as installing better insulation or replacing outdated, inefficient heating systems.
The focus on private, low-income households highlights the Government’s commitment to ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, can benefit from lower energy bills and warmer homes. The funding aims to address fuel poverty by helping those who may not have the means to invest in energy-saving improvements themselves. For homeowners, accessing this grant could be a helpful way to improve comfort at home while cutting long-term energy costs.
The Government has confirmed that by the end of the year, it will launch a consultation on introducing a Minimum Energy Efficiency Standard (MEES) of EPC C for private and social rented homes by 2030. This means that landlords may soon be required to bring their properties up to an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C or higher, or face penalties.
Currently, the minimum EPC requirement for rental properties is E, so this proposed change represents a significant shift. The goal is to make rental homes more energy efficient and affordable to heat, benefiting tenants and helping the UK meet its climate targets. For landlords, this could mean making energy-saving improvements over the next few years, such as upgrading heating systems, improving insulation, or installing energy-efficient windows. While this may involve upfront costs, it could also increase property value and make homes more attractive to renters in the long term.
Phase 4 of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme has been announced, continuing the Government’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions from public sector buildings. This phase will provide funding for public bodies—such as schools, hospitals, and local government offices—to carry out energy-saving measures.
The decarbonisation scheme is particularly important for public buildings, which often have large energy demands and older, less efficient heating systems. By supporting upgrades like improved insulation, low-carbon heating solutions, and renewable energy installations, this scheme is designed to help the public sector play its part in the UK’s journey to net zero. Public sector managers should be looking closely at this funding opportunity to assess how they can improve their buildings’ energy performance, both to reduce costs and contribute to environmental targets.
These new measures signal a clear shift in the UK’s approach to energy use, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and reducing costs for households and public institutions alike. If you’re a landlord, homeowner, or manage a public building, now is the time to think about how these changes might affect you and what steps you can take to stay ahead of the curve.
For landlords, the proposed MEES consultation is particularly important. You’ll need to think about the upgrades required to meet an EPC rating of C, which could mean investing in insulation, energy-efficient windows, or modern heating systems. For social housing providers, the SHDF Wave 3 offers a valuable opportunity to make these upgrades with Government support.
Homeowners on a low income can benefit from the Warm Homes: Local Grant Scheme, which provides financial assistance to make essential energy-saving improvements. And for those managing public buildings, the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme’s new phase gives access to funding for reducing carbon footprints and energy bills.
In the coming years, it’s clear that energy efficiency will be a top priority for both private and public buildings, and these initiatives will play a major role in driving that change.
If you’re considering upgrading your heating system, now is a great time to explore modern, efficient solutions like the NEOS electric radiator. Designed with patented technology to provide steady, reliable heat while reducing energy consumption, the NEOS is a direct-acting storage radiator that’s perfect for future-proofing your home or building - it’s even perfect for retrofit properties!
Whether you’re looking to lower your energy bills, improve comfort, or reduce your carbon footprint, the NEOS electric radiator offers a simple, effective way to upgrade your heating system. It’s built to last, energy-efficient, and designed to meet the demands of a more sustainable future.
Have questions or need advice? Contact us on 0800 599 9109 or [email protected]
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