Lead paragraph
Stevenage Borough Council is working to promote various decarbonisation schemes for private housing within the town.
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Homes /
HO5Decarbonisation of existing private domestic housing
Progress
On time
- Discussion
- Not started
- Initial scoping
- Planning stage
- Underway
- Continuous
Description
The decarbonisation of private homes refers to efforts and strategies aimed at reducing the carbon emissions associated with residential properties. It is a key component of broader initiatives to mitigate climate change and transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon economy.
Decarbonisation involves implementing measures to improve the energy efficiency of homes, decrease reliance on fossil fuels, and promote the use of renewable energy sources. Common decarbonisation practices include enhancing insulation, adopting energy-efficient appliances, upgrading heating and cooling systems, and encouraging the installation of renewable energy technologies like solar panels or small wind turbines.
The UK Government has outlined ambitious targets for the decarbonisation of homes, emphasising the need to transition away from high-carbon heating systems, such as gas boilers, toward cleaner alternatives like heat pumps. Additionally, promoting energy-efficient construction practices and encouraging the retrofitting of existing homes are integral aspects of the decarbonisation agenda.
These efforts not only contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions but also enhance energy resilience and security, reduce energy bills for residents addressing energy poverty, and create a more environmentally conscious housing sector.
Currently, to support these objectives at a local level, eligible residents can access free practical assistance through the Warm Homes: Local Grant. This scheme provides free home energy improvements for both homeowners and those in privately-rented properties, aiming to deliver more comfortable homes and lower energy costs.
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Tasks
What are we doing?
- 2028
Delivery of Warm Homes: Local Grant (WHLG)
The Council has secured £1.5 million through the UK Government Warm Homes: Local Grant scheme, to support retrofitting of an estimated 102 private properties across the town throughout 3 years (based on average retrofit costs per property). The Council is partnering with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) to deliver this scheme. Further information on how to apply can be found here: Stevenage Borough Council - Warm Homes Local Grant.
- 2028
Hertfordshire Local Retrofit Strategy 2025-28
The Council is working collaboratively through the Hertfordshire Climate Change & Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP), alongside other local authorities and county-level stakeholders, to implement a Local Retrofit Strategy with focus on the domestic sector. The strategy was finalised and approved in June–July 2025, and work is now progressing on implementation, including ongoing analysis of delivery vehicles. Link to the strategy: Hertfordshire Local Retrofit Strategy 2025-2028
What has been done?
- 31/03/2026
Energy Company Obligation Scheme - Round 4 (ECO 4) & GBIS
The Energy Company Obligation known as (ECO4) is a government scheme through which householders may be eligible for free or discounted measures to improve the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce energy bills.
SBC worked in partnership with the National Energy Foundation (NEF) from August 2024 to March 2026 to deliver the ECO4 scheme and Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS). 48 households were assisted through the scheme to access funding for energy efficiency measures to reduce bills and carbon emissions.
The scheme managed on the Council's behalf by NEF is now closed to new applications. The Government extended the ECO4 scheme until 31st December 2026, to provide obligated suppliers with extra time to complete existing obligations and for installers to remediate any defective installations. The NEF-managed scheme will continue to operate until 31st December 2026 for the purpose of focusing on any ongoing remedial work required for completed installations. GBIS ended as of 31st March 2026.
- 25/04/2025
Promotion of the Solar Together Scheme 2024-2025
Solar Together Hertfordshire is an innovative group-buying scheme, which brings Hertfordshire households together to get solar panels and battery storage at a competitive price. It helped residents through the process and kept them informed at every stage. The Council, through the Hertfordshire Climate Change and Sustainability Partnership (HCCSP), partnered with iChoosr Ltd, independent group-buying experts, to bring this opportunity to Stevenage homeowners.
- 02/12/2024
Delivery of Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2 (HUG2)
The Council worked in partnership with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority (CPCA) and DESNZ to provide HUG2 funding to local homeowners and private-tenants. The Council launched the HUG2-Year 1 communications in October/November 2023 targeting house properties that fit the criteria. Year 2 focused on targeting flat properties that fit the criteria. Find more information about this scheme here: UK Government - Home Upgrade Grant Phase 2.
- 01/12/2024
Submit EOI to Warm Homes: Local Grant
The Council has submitted an Expression of Interest to the Warm Homes: Local Grant to deliver energy performance and low carbon heating upgrades to low-income homes that are privately owned or rented.
For more details: UK Government - Warm Homes: Local Grant.
- 31/12/2023
Promotion of Hertfordshire Energy Advice Tool (HEAT) App
The Council joined with other local authorities across Hertfordshire to become one of the first in Britain to partner with Energy Saving Trust to provide an energy-efficiency app to help residents to cut energy use, reduce carbon emissions and save money. The HEAT app gave a virtual tour around a typical home, asking questions and giving advice through each room. Based on the answers the users give, quick, easy, low or no-cost actions were suggested to help them save money on energy bills and cut their carbon footprint.
Give it a go! Free to download from Google Play and Apple store.
- 27/10/2023
Promotion of the Solar Together Scheme 2023
The Council worked to promote the Solar Together Scheme, a group-buying solar panel scheme that was applicable to Stevenage residents who own their own house (or have permission from the landlord to install a solar PV system). Small and medium-sized enterprises (non-domestic) and Commonhold Associations meeting this requirement were able to participate as well. See further information at Solar Together Stevenage.
- 31/03/2023
Delivery of Sustainable Warmth (LAD3 - HUG1)
The programme was made up of two schemes: Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3) and Home Upgrade Grant Phase 1 (HUG1), which were Government-funded energy-efficiency schemes.
Building upon the earlier LAD2 scheme, the Sustainable Warmth Funding provided a combined financial approach to help Local Authorities upgrade homes occupied by low-income residents. The two schemes operated together but targeted different types of properties to ensure comprehensive coverage:
- Local Authority Delivery Phase 3 (LAD3): This scheme focused strictly on improving the energy efficiency ratings of homes that were connected to the mains gas grid.
- Home Upgrade Grant Phase 1 (HUG1): This scheme extended support to households whose properties were off the gas grid. It allowed councils to fund and install alternative low-carbon heating solutions, such as air-source heat pumps, for homes relying on more expensive or carbon-intensive fuels.
- 30/09/2022
Delivery of Local Authority Delivery Scheme 2 (LAD2)
This phase of the national funding programme was designed to raise the energy efficiency of homes with low Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings, specifically targeting low-income households to help alleviate fuel poverty.
- 31/03/2022
Energy Company Obligation Scheme - Round 3 (ECO 3)
Under the ECO3 scheme, energy suppliers were obligated to fund energy-saving improvements in vulnerable homes. The government allowed Local Authorities to identify eligible households in their areas under the "Flexible Eligibility" mechanism. In this context, the Council partnered with YES Energy Solution to provide funding towards heating system upgrades and insulation install to private residents. The energy efficiency measures applied to eligible customers included boiler replacement, central heating system, loft insulation, wall insulation, under floor insulation, and roof insulation.
Related actions
Summary and contacts
Timeline
Continuous
Responsible organisations
Information updated 28/07/2026