Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG):
A Guide for Local Authorities

The Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG) is a transformative initiative by the UK Government to reduce fuel poverty and improve energy efficiency in homes. Launching in 2025, this scheme is designed to help low-income households lower their energy bills, enhance home comfort, and contribute to the UK’s Net Zero 2050 goals.

At Pyramid Eco, we are proud to be a trusted partner in delivering these vital upgrades. With a proven track record in large-scale retrofit projects similar to WHLG, we offer expert services, practical guidance, and hands-on support to local authorities. Together, we can create warmer, greener, and more efficient homes for communities across England.

Engineer wearing an orange hard hat and high-visibility vest smiling at an electrical substation site

What Is the Warm Homes Local Grant?

The Warm Homes Local Grant builds on the success of previous government schemes like the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) and Local Authority Delivery (LAD) programs. It introduces a simplified funding structure, making it easier for councils to deliver meaningful energy upgrades to low-income households.

Objectives of WHLG

Tackle Fuel Poverty

Reduce energy bills for low-income households living in energy-inefficient homes.

Advance Net Zero Goals

Accelerate the transition to low-carbon heating solutions to meet climate targets.

Improve Accessibility

Streamline funding to support both on-grid and off-grid homes across England.

Key Features of the Warm Homes Local Grant

Supporting Low-Income Households

Targets privately owned homes with EPC ratings of D to G, including owner-occupied and privately rented properties.

Comprehensive Energy Improvements

Provides funding for insulation, glazing, draughtproofing, solar PV, and low-carbon heating systems like heat pumps.

Significant Funding Allocation

Offers £500 million over three years, with funding distributed based on councils’ past delivery performance.

Advancing Sustainability and Well-Being

Reduces energy bills and carbon emissions while improving home comfort and creating local jobs.

Old three-storey residential block with cracked walls and peeling paint before renovation

Who Will Be Eligible?

The Warm Homes Local Grant provides energy performance upgrades and low-carbon heating solutions to households that meet the following criteria:

Location: Homes must be in England.
Income Level: Households must be low income and meet at least one of the following:
- Gross annual income of £36,000 or less.
- Reside in deprived areas (ranked in the lowest income deciles).
- Receive means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit or Housing Benefit.
Energy Efficiency: Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D to G.
Ownership: Eligible properties include owner-occupied or privately rented homes.

Smart Homes Experience: Laying the Foundation for WHLG Success

At Pyramid Eco, we’re proud to have played a pivotal role in the Smart Homes scheme, an ambitious retrofit program that served as a precursor to the Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG). Our involvement improved housing quality for hundreds of residents and provided valuable lessons that now guide our approach to WHLG projects.

A Track Record of Success

Under the Smart Homes scheme, Pyramid Eco completed over 400 retrofit projects across multiple London boroughs, including:

Haringey: Delivered large-scale insulation upgrades to improve energy efficiency in hundreds of properties, reducing heating costs for residents.

Hackney: Carried out comprehensive energy performance upgrades, integrating measures such as glazing and draughtproofing to boost property EPC ratings.

Islington: Installed Positive Input Ventilation (PIV) systems in numerous homes to address damp and mould issues, improving indoor air quality and preventing long-term structural damage.

Waltham Forest: Conducted extensive loft and cavity wall insulation projects, enhancing energy efficiency in some of the borough’s most vulnerable housing stock.

Practical Insights for Local Authorities

Drawing from our extensive experience in the Smart Homes scheme, we have identified key strategies to ensure the success of Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG) projects. Here’s how local authorities can tackle common challenges and deliver effective results for their communities:

Best Practices for Ventilation: Ensuring Healthy, Comfortable Homes

Refurbished residential block with new white external wall insulation and a cleaner, modern finish

Improper ventilation during retrofit projects can lead to issues like damp and mould, which undermine energy efficiency efforts and resident well-being. To prevent these problems:

Integrate Ventilation Upgrades Early: Plan for adequate ventilation systems alongside insulation and airtightness measures.
Conduct Pre-Installation Assessments: Evaluate each property’s existing ventilation to identify risks and determine the best solutions.
Quote: We’ll provide a detailed, personalised quote outlining the recommended solutions and associated costs so that you can make an informed decision.
Use Certified Installers: Work with experienced professionals to ensure systems are installed to industry standards, minimising future maintenance needs.
Our Smart Homes Experience: In Islington, we successfully mitigated damp issues by implementing PIV systems during retrofitting projects. This proactive approach ensured long-term improvements in air quality and energy efficiency.

Rear view of an old brick apartment building with worn balconies and an overgrown garden before insulation upgrade

Resident Engagement Tips: Building Trust and Minimising Disruption

Clear, consistent communication with residents is critical to the success of retrofit projects, especially in occupied properties. Key strategies include:

Set Clear Expectations: Inform residents about the scope, timeline, and potential disruptions of the project.
Provide Regular Updates: Keep residents informed of progress through letters, community meetings, or digital platforms.
Establish a Point of Contact: Designate a liaison to address resident questions or concerns promptly and empathetically.
Minimise Inconvenience: Schedule work at times that reduce disruption and ensure properties are left clean and safe at the end of each day.
Our Smart Homes Experience: In Hackney, our focus on resident engagement led to smoother project delivery and higher satisfaction. By addressing concerns early and maintaining open communication, we minimised resistance and disruption.

Planning and Coordination: Keeping Projects on Schedule

Rear view of the same apartment building after external insulation installation, showing a smooth white façade and fresh appearance

Delays in planning permission can derail retrofit projects, wasting valuable time and resources. Local authorities can stay ahead with these tips:

Start the Planning Process Early: Build strong relationships with local planning offices to facilitate quicker approvals.
Streamline Documentation: Use templates and checklists to ensure applications are complete and compliant, reducing back-and-forth delays.
Prioritise Homes Strategically: Focus on properties that do not require complex planning permissions to keep the overall project on track.
Our Smart Homes Experience: In Haringey, we avoided major delays by working closely with the council’s planning team and preemptively addressing common application errors. This approach ensured timely delivery for hundreds of retrofitted homes.

How Pyramid Eco Can Help

Delivering a program as ambitious as WHLG requires expertise, efficiency, and attention to detail. At Pyramid Eco, we are here to help councils succeed at every stage of the process.

1. Expert Installation Services

We specialise in delivering high-quality energy efficiency measures, including:

Energy Performance Upgrades: From cavity wall insulation and draughtproofing to double or triple glazing, we ensure homes achieve significant energy savings.
Low-Carbon Heating Systems: Our experts install air-source and ground-source heat pumps tailored to off-grid homes or those using carbon-intensive fuels.
Holistic Solutions: End-to-end services to ensure energy, ventilation and heating systems work seamlessly together.

Construction worker fitting reflective insulation panels between roof rafters in a loft conversion project

2. Advisory Support for Councils

Navigating new funding schemes can be challenging. We provide practical support to local authorities, including:

Funding Guidance: Support in submitting Expressions of Interest (EOI) and securing funding allocations.
Project Planning: Assistance with mobilising large-scale retrofitting projects tailored to community needs.
Strategic Advice: Help in prioritising homes and designing impactful, efficient energy efficiency programs.

3. Proactive Problem-Solving

Our lessons from the Smart Homes scheme allow us to anticipate and address potential challenges:

Ventilation Issues: Proper planning prevents damp and mould problems.
Planning Delays: We streamline permissions to keep projects on track.
Resident Engagement: Clear communication minimises disruption and ensures smooth delivery.

Ready to Deliver WHLG Projects?

The Warm Homes Local Grant is an excellent opportunity to improve housing, reduce fuel poverty, and advance sustainability goals. With Pyramid Eco’s proven expertise in retrofits, we’ll help you plan and deliver impactful projects efficiently and effectively. Contact us today to get started on creating warmer, greener communities.

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Warm Homes Local Grant (WHLG): A Guide for Local Authorities