IMPORTANT NOTICE
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We are currently experiencing a high volume of applications for the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG2) in the Dorset Council area. To allow time to fully assess and support these applicants, we have temporarily paused any new sign-ups from the Dorset Council area. We aim to re-open for applications in the new year, pending available funds. If you would like to be added to our waiting list to be updated when applications re-open or when future funding rounds become available, please let us know. We are still accepting applications from households in the BCP Council area. If you would like advice on what other energy efficiency support is available to you, please contact the team and we will be happy to help. If you are struggling with the cost of living and are in need of immediate support, you can access help here:
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Dorset Council area: Cost of living help
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BCP Council area: Cost of living help
Benefit from upgrades to your insulation, your heating, or by having renewable energy measures installed.
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#HugSupport
NB. Living in Dorset does not automatically qualify you. Although this funding is for BCP Council and Dorset Council areas, if applying under the Qualifying Area criteria, you must check if your postcode applies, as only poorer ward areas known as Lower Super Output Areas qualify under this specific criteria.
Please refer to the eligibility criteria.
Dorset Council and BCP Council have launched the Home Upgrade Grant, which is designed to improve the energy efficiency of qualifying homes across Dorset.
The scheme enables homeowners and private renters to access funded energy saving measures such as loft & cavity wall insulation, external wall insulation, heating upgrades, air source heat pumps and solar panels. The HUG2 scheme will help reduce energy use and fuel costs for qualifying Dorset residents who live in the lower energy rated homes (EPC D to G) and heat their homes with a fuel other than mains gas such as; electric heaters, oil and LPG boilers and solid fuel heating.
The scheme will also help BCP and Dorset Council achieve their pledge to take action to address the climate emergency and will help towards the reductions in energy use needed to meet the UK's 2050 Net Zero targets.
HUG 2 is the second phase of the Home Upgrade Grant and is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.
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Ridgewater Energy, based in Wimborne, Dorset are delivering the HUG scheme throughout Dorset Council & BCP Council areas. Ridgewater Energy's team have over 25 years of experience delivering energy efficiency schemes in Dorset and the wider South West region, and work with a network of trusted suppliers & installers.
1. Phone Assessment
We begin with a telephone assessment where we determine whether you and your property are eligible.
2. Home Visit
If eligible, we will book you in for a home visit, where we will carry out an up to date Energy Performance Certificate (EPC).
3. Advice
We will provide you with advice on the package of measures which is permitted, technically possible and covered by the schemes funding.
4. Assessment
Once eligible measures are agreed, you will then have a Retrofit Assessment carried out followed by technical surveys for those measures.
5. Funding Approval
Once we know the measures are feasible and installers prices are provided, we will seek approval from the funders.
6. Installation
Once we have approval you will be notified. Installers will then be in touch to make arrangements to install the measures.
7. Completion
When works are complete we will contact you, may arrange a follow up visit, ask for your feedback and ensure you have all relevant paperwork.
8. Results
You can now enjoy your new improved, healthier, energy efficient property! Costing you less to heat, whilst doing your bit for the planet!
The scheme is grant funded, so qualifying owner occupier households will not be expected to contribute towards the costs of any works which are deemed to be covered by the scheme. There are funding limits for both energy saving and renewable energy measures, so this may mean in some cases there are some measures which will not be able to be funded.
In the case of works that are not covered by the scheme, but the client wants to go ahead with them anyway with the installer, for example; a car charging point or, an iBoost to connect their solar PV panels to their hot water cylinder, then that is something that must be dealt with outside this scheme under a separate arrangement.
You may require a package of measures in order for your property to be sufficiently improved, which is a requirement of the funding.
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All grant and measure eligibility is subject to survey and funding approval. There may be other funding available for your home under a different grant. Terms and conditions apply.
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Please note - This grant does not pay for any works outside of this project, that you may have already done or are planning to do. Only works that are identified, approved and installed under this scheme are covered up to the limits of the funding.
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Landlords - HUG2 can also assist qualifying tenants in privately rented properties, but landlords will be required to own (or have an interest in) 4 or less properties (Land Registry and compliance checks will be carried out), have an existing EPC of D or E (F and G rated privately rented properties must have a lawful MEES exemption registered to qualify) and landlords will also have to contribute a third towards the costs of any works.
Am I Eligible?
You may be eligible for a Home Upgrade Grant if you:
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Live in Dorset Council or BCP Council areas. NOT all of Dorset postcodes are eligible under the qualifying area criteria, please use the postcode checker to determine if your postcode area applies. Note, if your postcode area does not apply, you may still be eligible under the household income or qualifying benefit criteria.
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Property is heated by Electric, LPG, Oil or Solid Fuel.
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EPC (Energy Performance Rating) is Band D-G.
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And one of the following
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Household income under £31,000 or
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Receive a means tested qualifying benefit or
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Live in a qualifying area
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If you do not know your property's EPC rating, you can search for it on the Government's EPC register.
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Not all properties will possess an EPC certificate.
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Your EPC rating may not be valid, if you have made energy saving improvements to your home and a follow-up EPC has not been generated. In these instances, Ridgewater Energy may be able to carry out an EPC in order to determine your eligibility.
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You only need to check your postcode if you don’t qualify under the income level or benefit route.
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Annual household income threshold, qualifying benefit and qualifying area, are standalone criteria. Only Dorset Council or BCP Council residents qualify.
Even if your household income is over £31,000 and you don’t receive benefits, if you live in a qualifying postcode area, you may still qualify regardless of income as long as you meet the other criteria EPC (D-G) and you don’t heat your home with mains gas.
Is my postcode in a qualifying area?
Good news, your postcode is eligible!
Your postcode is not eligible
NB. Not ALL of Dorset postcodes fall under the qualifying area criteria. If your postcode is not in a qualifying area, this does not discount you from obtaining funding under a different qualifying criteria.
What Measures Are Available?
Energy saving measures available include insulation, heating and renewable energy upgrades. You may require a package of measures in order for your property to be sufficiently improved, which is a requirement of the funding. Our fully trained assessors will help determine which measures will benefit your property most.
Apply
Do you live under a Qualifying Area?
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Do you know if your EPC rating is Band D-G?
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Do you heat your home with Electricity, Oil, LPG or Solid Fuel?
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*Funding is subject to terms and conditions.
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Complete the application form or call
FREEPHONE 0300 003 7023
The information you provide us with must be true and accurate to the best of your knowledge and belief and you are aware that active fraud protection will be conducted during the operation of the HUG2 scheme.
Healthy Homes Dorset is funded by BCP Council, Dorset Council and Public Health Dorset and is delivered by Ridgewater Energy.
Helping Dorset residents to keep warm and healthy in their homes by providing access to free energy advice and funding for energy saving measures, such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, heating measures and enabling works. Those who live in Dorset, have a health condition, are aged over 65, or has a child under 5, is pregnant or on a low income, could be eligible. *List not exhaustive.Â