Home Energy Retrofit Offer (HERO) Scheme

This scheme is part of the Warm Home: Local Grant programme from the Department of Energy, Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). In Wakefield, we have secured £1.5m to help households switch from fossil fuels like gas, coal, LPG, and oil. This funding will also improve home energy efficiency.

The HERO scheme helps homeowners and private tenants, who live in the Wakefield district.

You don’t have to pay anything; all the work is free.

What improvements are available?

Council approved contractors will do all the work. They follow the best practice of PAS2035 from the British Standards Institute.

Every qualifying application gets a survey.  This survey will show what improvements you can make to your home.  This Retrofit Assessment is a bespoke plan for your property, and the works could include:

• insulation (cavity wall and/or loft)
• low carbon heating systems, e.g. air source heat pumps or high efficiency storage heaters
• solar PV (electric producing panel system)

The HERO scheme does not give you gas boilers or heating systems that use coal or oil.

What are the eligibility criteria?

You may be eligible if you meet both the household and property criteria.

Household criteria (meet ONE of the following)

• Your household (or your tenants) have a combined gross annual income of up to £36,000.
• Your property is in an area identified by DESNZ. The Home Energy Team can check this for you.
• You are in receipt of a qualifying income-related benefit.
• You are on a low income (net) and meet predetermined criteria set by DESNZ - the Home Energy Team can check this.

Property criteria (meet BOTH of the following)

• Your property has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D-G (D or E if it is privately rented).
• You have two months or less of council tax arrears.

How does the scheme work?

The 10-point process below shows what to expect. It should take about 16 weeks from start to finish:

1. HERO application received by the Home Energy Team.
2. Application checked for qualification, and if successful, you move on to step 3. 
3. A Retrofit Assessor will check your home. They will make a plan that shows the best energy efficiency upgrades and the order to install them.
4. The Home Energy Team will talk to you about which fully funded upgrades HERO offers for your home.
5. If you agree to the measures, the approved contractor will survey your home. They will then share the results with the Home Energy Team.
6. The Home Energy Team then seek approval from DESNZ to install the proposed measures.
7. Once approved, the approved contractor(s) will book the installation in with you.
8. The measures are then installed in your home at no cost.
9. After the contractor finishes the installations, they will give you all the advice and information you need for future operation and maintenance.
10. The Retrofit Assessor and the Council’s Home Energy Team check and sign off the installations.

The HERO scheme process is then complete, and the measures are yours to help you save energy.

How to apply?

The HERO scheme runs until March 2028. However, funds are limited each financial year. We will give out funds on a first come, first served basis. They might run out, so if you're interested, it's best to apply right away.

Complete this form to apply.

You can contact the Council’s Home Energy Team for help with your application. Call 01924 305887 or email energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.