Start Spring with an efficient home: free home upgrades available for lower income homes in Lincolnshire

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) initiative, funded by the Government and administrated by district councils in Lincolnshire is designed to help homeowners across Lincolnshire that rely on electric, oil or coal for heating to upgrade their home heating and reduce energy bills.

District councils across Lincolnshire have partnered with YES Energy Solutions. To check eligibility, homeowners and private tenants can simply send a text with the word HUG to 82228.

This simple step starts a friendly conversation to help identify whether your home can benefit from home upgrades like wall or loft insulation. A semi-detached property could receive external wall insulation worth up to £24,000. Homes may also be entitled to the installation of renewable energy kits, including heat pumps and solar panels, all carried out by professional and accredited installers.

YES Energy Solutions, a community interest company with over 20 years of experience, works with funding partners and quality installers to help homeowners create warmer, more efficient, and affordable homes. In the last year alone, the organisation has helped over 250 households in Lincolnshire apply for free funding to improve their home. YES Energy Solutions can also help people struggling with energy debts with contributions towards their bills or fuel vouchers for those on pre-payment meters.

Duncan McCombie, Chief Executive of YES Energy Solutions said: “Navigating the process for home heating funding may seem daunting, but our team, along with our trusted partners are here to help. We’ll guide you through the process and check to see if you are entitled to free grants. This is usually the case if you have a household income of £36,000 or less, or someone in the house receives a means tested benefit.

“Our expert team can arrange for upgrades to be done as quickly and easily as possible by our network of trusted installers. We’re here to help every step of the way and are always available at the end of the phone for any questions and queries. We’re looking forward to helping homeowners in Lincolnshire stay warm this year."

The HUG scheme runs up to March 2025. For more information, visit www.yesenergysolutions.co.uk/schemes/home-energy-upgrade-scheme

YES Energy Solutions are experts at delivering award winning energy efficiency and home energy upgrade projects that make a significant impact to communities. For over 20 years they have been working in partnership with funders and a trusted network of quality installers, helping people create warmer, more efficient and affordable homes.

YES is a community interest company, meaning they put people and communities first, supporting them to reduce their energy, increase their warmth and pay their bills through expert, friendly and personal service.

The advice lines helps over 100 people a week who call to save energy and making bills more affordable.

The Advice Line team know how to save customers money and are kept constantly up-to date on all funding and improvement schemes available.

Whether you have questions about energy-saving tips, need help with understanding your energy bills, or want guidance on making your home more energy-efficient, experts are there to provide you with the information you need to save money and help protect the environment.

Call 03301 359 110 or text HUG to 82228.

The Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) provides energy efficiency upgrades and low carbon heating via local authority funding, to households in England that:

· are low income

· have a non mains gas primary heating system

· have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) between D and G

Up to £630 million of grant funding is available for successful local authorities to help them deliver HUG 2 from April 2023 until March 2025. Funding will be released to successful local authorities in the financial years 2023 to 2024 and 2024 to 2025.