HOMEOWNERS in Wyre Forest may be eligible for a home upgrade over the next few months.

Wyre Forest District Council has been awarded £1.155 million from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s (DESNZ) for the Home Upgrade Grant Scheme (HUGS).

The scheme aims to address the issue of cold and damp homes that are not connected to the mains gas grid for heating.

Through the HUGS program, homeowners could potentially benefit from a range of measures, including insulation and upgraded heating, which are designed to help lower energy bills.

Various energy efficiency improvements may be implemented, such as external wall insulation, cavity wall insulation, loft insulation, or the installation of low carbon heating measures like air source heat pumps and high retention storage heaters.

However, households must meet certain eligibility criteria to receive a HUG.

Homes must not be heated by mains gas and should have a current Home Energy Performance certificate (EPC) rating of D-G.

Some households may be eligible to obtain a free EPC.

Additionally, applicants must live in the home and have a gross annual household income of less than £31,000, or live in an eligible postcode area.

The specific postcodes and detailed criteria can be found on the council's website.

Those who believe their homes may be eligible for the program can call Act on Energy's free advice line at 0800 988 2881 to undergo a short telephone assessment and receive an application form.