Energy efficiency

• Check the energy efficiency of your home
• Other energy efficiency funding schemes
• Advice on renewable energy
• Ways you can save money and energy
• Advice on keeping warm this winter
• How we are reducing fuel poverty and energy use

Malvern Hills District Council work in partnership with Act on Energy to deliver their Energy Efficiency Advice Service. For Energy Efficiency Advice please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or telephone 0800 988 2881.

Check the energy efficiency of your home

Improving the energy efficiency of your home can help save money on your bills and reduce your carbon footprint, helping our planet.

There are a number of schemes available to help you with the cost of work to upgrade the energy efficiency of your home.

If you do not know the energy efficiency rating of your home, or would like ideas about how to improve your rating, then use the online checker to find out what energy efficiency or low carbon heat improvements may be suitable for your home.

Other energy efficiency funding schemes

Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG2)

The scheme aims to enhance the comfort and energy efficiency of lower income households, that rely on heating methods other than mains gas central heating.

Free home energy efficiency improvements for low-income households not connected to mains gas for central heating. The scheme not only reduces a home’s carbon footprint and energy expense but does so at no cost to the resident.

If you are eligible, your property will be assessed to decide which is the most energy efficient improvement.

Priority will be given to the most energy efficient measures, including:

• external/internal wall insulation 
• loft insulation/room in roof insulation  
• cavity wall insulation  
• air source heat pumps 
• hot water cylinder insulation and thermostat 
• digital/smart heating controls

The specific measures and funding that is allocated to your property will depend on its type and structure.

To apply or for more information visit the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUG2) page on the Worcestershire County Council website.

Energy Company Obligation (ECO)

The Government requires energy companies to provide funding to help improve the energy efficiency of homes, reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty.

If you are on certain benefits, you may be able to get help funding, all or some, of the cost of some types of insulation or heating systems, such as a replacement boiler.

To qualify you need to be claiming one of the following:

• Income Support
• Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Pension Credit Guarantee (not savings credit)
• Universal Credit
• Child Tax Credits
• Working Tax Credits
• Child Benefit* 
• Disability Benefits
  – Personal Independence Payment
  – Disability Living Allowance
  – Attendance Allowance
  – Armed Forces Independence Payment
  – Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit

*based on income thresholds and household composition

Check out the Act on Energy website for more information on funding for energy efficiency improvements.

Advice on renewable energy

• Installing renewable energy systems in your own home can cut your energy bills and the harmful carbon emissions your household creates.
• There are many forms of renewable energy including solar panels, wind turbines, ground source heat pumps and biomass boilers.
• You could also be paid for the energy you generate for seven years as part of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive.
• Find out more about installing renewable energy technology in your home.
• You can also call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.

Ways you can save money and energy

By taking some simple energy saving measures you can save money on your bills.

Top energy saving tips

• Use smart technology to control your heating
• Turn your thermostat down 1 degree
• Switch your appliances off stand-by
• Use a bowl to wash up
• Replace all your bulbs with LEDs
• Turn off lights when you’re not in the room
• Draught proof doors and windows
• Spend one less minute in the shower each day
• Do one less load of laundry a week
• Fill the kettle with just the right amount of water

Check out more ways to cut your bills from the Energy Saving Trust.

Switch energy provider

This is one of the easiest things you can do to save you money on your bills.

• Use an Ofgem approved price comparison website to compare energy prices.
• You can also call Act on Energy on 0800 988 2881.

Get a smart meter

A smart meter will give you near to real-time information on your energy consumption to help you manage your energy use and save money, as well as reduce your carbon footprint. It also means your billing will be more accurate as information will be sent direct to your energy provider. Smart meters can be installed for free.

Find out more about how to get a smart meter.

Join an energy switching scheme

Energy switching schemes join groups of people together. Energy companies then bid for the right to supply those individuals to supply their gas and electricity. Because it is one bulk contract, members of the scheme benefit from a lower price. Auctions take place three times a year.

• Find out more about the Big Community Energy Switch
• If you rely on heating oil then you may want to consider joining a community oil buying club.

Advice on keeping warm this winter

If you are not very mobile, aged 65 or over, or have a health condition such as hear or long disease, it is important you keep warm. You must heat your home to at least 18 degrees Celsius.

Advice from the NHS on how to keep warm during the winter

Warm Home Discount Scheme

You could get £150 off your electricity bill for winter 2022 to 2023 under the Warm Home Discount Scheme. The scheme is open for applications from November 2023.

You do not receive any money. Instead, you will get a one-off discount on your electricity bill between September and March.

You may be able to get the discount on your gas bill instead if your supplier provides you with both gas and electricity.

You may have to contact your energy supplier to find out if they offer this discount and to apply. Not all energy suppliers are part of the scheme.

• Find out if you qualify for the Warm Home Discount and how to apply.
• Applying for this scheme does not affect your right to a cold weather payment or winter fuel payment.