The average household could save hundreds of pounds each year by making their home more energy efficient. This is why we’re encouraging residents to check whether they may be eligible for free home energy grants to help keep their homes warmer and reduce energy bills.

I’m pleased to say that funding is now available to support eligible households with free energy efficiency measures through the Warmer Homes grant scheme. This scheme is aimed at residents on lower incomes or those in receipt of means‑tested benefits.

To be eligible, properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D, E, F or G. You can check your home’s EPC rating at:
www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate

Eligible residents may qualify for free measures such as insulation, air source heat pumps and solar panels, provided their household income is under £36,000, or they receive a means‑tested benefit, and they are either homeowners or private tenants. Applications are processed on a first‑come, first‑served basis.

The scheme is funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, following a successful bid by a partnership of 32 local authorities, including Chichester District Council. To check your eligibility and apply, visit www.warmerhomes.org.uk.  You can also contact the Warmer Homes team on 0800 038 5737 or by emailing retrofit@warmerhomes.org.uk

If you’re unsure whether you’re eligible for any of the grants, the Citizens’ Advice Energy Team can help — call 0800 145 6879 or you can visit:www.arunchichestercab.org.uk/energy

Making our homes more energy efficient and generating renewable energy at home are two of the most effective ways to save money and reduce our carbon emissions, but it’s not always easy to know where to start. Last year, we launched the Energy Saving Plan Builder, a free online tool designed to help residents explore energy efficiency improvements tailored to their home. The tool has already helped 184 households to date to take the first steps towards healthier, more comfortable homes with lower energy bills, while also supporting action on climate change.

To use the tool, visit https://energysaving.planbuilder.co.uk, enter your postcode and select your property. After checking your property details, the website will generate a personalised summary of potential energy‑saving improvements. While this doesn’t replace professional advice, it provides helpful estimated costs and savings to guide your decisions. You can tailor recommendations based on your budget and goals, explore different combinations of measures, and see how they could reduce both energy bills and carbon emissions. By creating a free account, you can save your plan, return to it later or have it emailed to you.

As part of our Climate Emergency Action Plan, our Environmental Strategy team have been busy delivering a series of free Carbon Literacy training events. Designed by the globally recognised Carbon Literacy Project, this training helps people better understand how daily activities can contribute to climate change and identify practical actions they can take in their workplaces and communities to reduce their carbon footprint.

Last year, our experienced in‑house Carbon Literacy Facilitator delivered seven courses, training 58 participants from across the district, including local community leaders and members and volunteers from climate action groups. The training is already leading to real, tangible local outcomes, including community‑led car‑sharing schemes, new tree‑planting and biodiversity projects, households improving insulation to cut heating costs, and stronger local climate networks across villages and towns. This year, we are continuing to deliver training to community members as well as training more council staff.

Delivering this initiative is just one of many actions the council is taking to help tackle the effects of climate change locally. You can find out more about our work at:
www.chichester.gov.uk/climatechange

Don’t forget that you can also keep up-to-date on climate change projects and initiatives by signing up to our climate change email newsletter: www.chichester.gov.uk/climatechangenewsletter

Best Wishes

Cllr Jonathan Brown

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environmental Strategy at Chichester District Council