Cosy Homes in Lancashire
Blackpool Council is working with local authorities in Lancashire to help households access funding for energy-related improvements to their homes.
If your property is suitable you may be able to have a number of energy efficiency improvements installed in your home for free including air source heat pumps, solar panels and insulation measures..
Home upgrade grant
The government’s home upgrade grant is now available to Blackpool residents.
Grants can be worth up to £38,000, depending on the size of your property. Landlords can apply but a contribution will be expected.
This means that you could get your home winter-ready and the ‘Cosy Homes in Lancashire’ initiative will pick up the bill to help you get warmer, and stay warmer in future.
If you and your property are eligible, the following energy efficient measures may be covered by the grant:
- Insulation (solid wall insulation, loft/cavity, room in roof and underfloor)
- Renewable heating technologies
- Energy efficient external doors and window upgrades (subject to recommendation from a retrofit assessor)
- Solar PV
You may be eligible if:
- Your property has a low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of band D, E, F or G
- You own the home (including shared ownership and park homes on residential sites)
- Your house has no gas central heating
- You are in receipt of any benefits
- You are a residential landlord
- The occupants of the home have a combined gross annual household income of less than £31,000 per year
- Your property is in an eligible post code area
The quickest and easiest way to check your eligibility and apply, is online via Cosy Homes in Lancashire.
Energy company obligation (ECO)
Launched in January 2013, the energy company obligation is a government regulation that requires the largest UK energy suppliers to work towards cutting the UK's carbon footprint and fund energy efficiency measures in an effort to reduce fuel bills in domestic customers’ homes.
Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
In 2023, the government also introduced the Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) to help reach their targets on reducing carbon emissions and tackling fuel poverty.
Local government flexible eligibility (LA Flex)
The government brought in a regulation that local authorities could make a declaration that a household was vulnerable under certain criteria even if they did not qualify for ECO or GBIS.
The criteria is set out in a statement of intent which has been jointly agreed by all Lancashire authorities including Blackpool Council. View the current Statement of Intent.
Loft insulation
The scheme can deliver loft insulation to any domestic property in Lancashire, however, there may be a cost as currently there is no funding for free loft insulation. The insulation will be installed to a recommended thickness of 270 mm. (subject to survey).