Forget Net Zero By 2050; the team at Next Energy are delighted to be joining forces with Manchester City Council to achieve Net Zero By 2038! Under this exciting and ambitious programme, we have secured a new £9M contract to install energy-efficiency measures in 500 homes across the Manchester area as part of the government’s Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2).
The aim of this scheme is to promote a better way of life for residents in our local community through cleaner air, decarbonisation measures and reduced energy bills. By joining forces with the council and delivering the highest quality energy-efficiency upgrades possible, we will be able to help more residents to live comfortably and protected from fuel poverty. This is what truly drives us.
What Is HUG2 and Am I Eligible?
The Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 is open to low-income Manchester residents who live in privately owned or privately rented accommodation which has an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or below.
HUG2 is only for homes that do not have gas central heating and have an EPC of D or below. You must also meet financial eligibility or live in eligible postcodes within Manchester City Council to apply.
To apply for HUG2 you must meet these conditions:
- Your home does not use gas for main heating purposes
- Your home has an EPC band of D to G (if you don’t know your home’s EPC certificate, you can check it online.
- You must own your property or be private rented tenants. (Private landlords will need to contribute at least one third of the cost. They must own less than 4 properties)
- Your household annual income must be £36,000 or below OR
- You live in one of the eligible postcodes. These have been set by central Government
The scheme will provide funding for eligible applicants to install insulation, air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels, replacing outdated and inefficient heating systems and decarbonising local domestic energy systems.
It is anticipated that the energy efficiency upgrades that will be installed under this scheme will save residents in excess of £500 a year on their energy bills. The application process is simple and the team at Next Energy will be delighted to help interested parties to assess their needs and complete their applications.
Why we were chosen
We were not the only company to bid for this contract, but as a leading renewable insulation and heating specialist with strong ties to the area and a proven track record on other government grant contracts, we are delighted to have been offered the opportunity to continue to make a difference in the lives of local residents.
Since Next Energy was established in 2016, we have provided renewable energy solutions to over 18,000 customers and forged productive working relationships with major social landlords across the UK as well as with leading energy suppliers, including OVO Energy, British Gas, NPower and E.ON.
We have delivered energy efficiency and insulation upgrades under numerous government grant schemes, including the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme, the Sustainable Warmth Scheme, the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, the Public Decarbonisation Scheme, the Great British Insulation Scheme and the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
We are firmly committed to achieving the Manchester Council’s target of becoming a zero-carbon city by 2038 and look forward to being part of this revolutionary change.
Why we are passionate about renewable energy
The energy crisis in the UK has been well documented, and we think it’s terrible that many British families have had to make hard choices between eating and heating this winter due to the rapidly escalating cost of everyday essentials.
We know that the energy efficiency upgrades that we deliver will ease the financial burden that these families feel, providing them with a warm and comfortable home, lower bills and better health. By focusing our attention on helping those most in need, we are able to raise the standard of living for local residents, give back to our communities and deliver against our social values.
We are committed to improving not only the health of our local residents but also that of our planet. Traditional energy sources are harming natural ecosystems and affecting our climate, resulting in unseasonal weather patterns which threaten forestry, agriculture and food supply as well as devastating local wild animal populations. By investing in renewable energy sources, we reduce our reliance on harmful energy practices and help our world to recover and become resilient to external factors.
Apply for funding
Funding will be available under the Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 until March 2025 so we recommend that anybody who meets the eligibility criteria contact us here 0161 526 6433 as soon as possible to begin the application process. To find out more or to seek our support in applying for this or any other government grants, please contact us today.
