Residents are reaping the benefits of Cumberland Council’s Warm Homes initiative which has saved households an estimated £580k on their energy bills.
The initiative, which includes the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) Flex Scheme and the Warm Homes Local Grant, is making a real difference by tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency for hundreds of households.
Between August 2024 and October 2025, the Council approved 589 households for free energy-saving home improvements across Cumberland under the ECO4 Flex Scheme, leading to a total of 387 upgraded homes, with 348 now achieving an energy performance rating of Band C or higher, and over 100 homes with upgrades in progress.
On average, upgraded homes are estimated to be saving £1,516 per year on their energy bills, and 5,654kg per year in carbon emissions. These results highlight the significant impact of home improvements in tackling both fuel poverty and climate change.
Alongside the ECO4 Flex Scheme, homes in Cumberland are now benefiting from energy-saving measures through the newly launched Warm Homes Local Grant. This grant scheme targets specific neighbourhoods with high levels of fuel poverty and will run over a three-year period.
Eligible households can benefit from a range of energy-saving measures, including solar panel installation, home insulation, and heating system upgrades. Eligibility is based on factors such as income, benefits, health conditions, and postcode.
To make applying easier, the Council recently launched a new online eligibility checker. Residents can quickly check if they qualify and apply for support at www.cumberland.gov.uk/warmhomes
In the Autumn Budget, Government announced that the ECO4 scheme will close in March 2026. Cumberland residents are still encouraged to use the council’s new online eligibility checker to see if they qualify. Residents can still access the ECO4 scheme until applications close, and the Warm Homes Local Grant will continue until March 2028. The online checker checks eligibility for both schemes.
Elaine Barber, Silloth resident who received home improvements earlier this year, said;
“I’m delighted with the upgrades to my home. Since receiving these free energy-saving improvements, it feels much warmer and more comfortable, and I’ve noticed a real boost in energy efficiency. I’ve even been able to return surplus energy to the grid, which is a great bonus. I’d definitely encourage others to check if they’re eligible, I’m so glad I did. It’s still early days, but I’m already seeing the benefits these free improvements have brought.”
Councillor Emma Williamson, Cumberland Council Executive Member for Children's Services, Family Wellbeing and Housing, said;
“Cumberland Council remains committed to tackling fuel poverty and improving energy efficiency and we’re proud to see such strong progress in helping residents cut energy costs and improve home efficiency. These results highlight the power of working together to tackle fuel poverty and climate change. And this isn’t just about numbers; these improvements make a real difference. Better insulation and modern heating systems mean lower bills, warmer homes, and better health and wellbeing for our communities. If you haven’t already, take a moment to use our quick and easy online eligibility checker to see if you could qualify for home upgrades that save you money.”
