Government funding continues to be available to certain people to support them in making changes to their home to keep them warmer, and save money and energy.  

If your home is inefficient, you could now qualify for the ECO Flex Scheme and receive government funding for insulation and other home improvement measures if you meet one of the following criteria:

• your household has a gross annual income less than £31,000
• you receive a referral from the NHS relating to severe health conditions impacted by living in a cold home
• or a combination of other criteria for those living at the premises such as being entitled to a council tax reduction, a person being considered vulnerable to the cold, or a child qualifying for free school meals.

ECO Flex is being delivered across North Herts in partnership with the National Energy Foundation (NEF).

For further information about and to check if you might qualify, please visit the council website or contact Better Housing, Better Health - call 0800 107 0044 or email [email protected].

For those who don't meet the criteria, you may want to get a free home survey and plan to improve your home through the SuperHomes Scheme, supported by the Greater Southeast Net Zero Hub and delivered by the National Energy Foundations (NEF).

It offers all residents in Herts free and personalised advice to help enhance your home's energy efficiency, giving details of the cheapest and most effective measures to reduce your energy bills based on your priorities as a homeowner.

Register your interest before 31 March - visit https://superhomes.org.uk/beds-herts, call 01908 69991, or email [email protected].

Cllr Dave Winstanley, North Herts Council's Executive Member for Housing & Environmental Health, said: "We are committed to helping residents in fuel poverty, as well as reducing the district's carbon emissions under our target to be net zero by 2040. We work in partnership to promote and deliver these types of schemes to help residents be informed, and in some instances actually get the money to take action – to make their homes warmer and reduce what they spend on energy bills!" 

Ali Vickers, Operations Director at National Energy Foundation, said: "We're delighted to partner with North Herts Council to deliver ECO funding to vulnerable residents in the area. Amid the ongoing cost of living crisis, an increasing number of households are facing challenges in cold, energy-inefficient homes. By working together, we're committed to ensuring that as many residents as possible can access this vital funding, helping to improve their living conditions, enhance energy efficiency, and reduce energy costs."

For more information on these and other schemes, please visit: www.north-herts.gov.uk/EnergyEfficiency