Keeping Lancashire Homes Warm | Cosy Homes in Lancashire

Written by:
Stacey Walker

Since its establishment in 2013, Cosy Homes in Lancashire has been working to eradicate cold homes, improve resident health, and tackle fuel poverty.

What began as a response to a county-wide public health study has grown into an initiative supported by Lancashire’s local authorities. Here is how the scheme works, what it has achieved so far, and how eligible residents across the county can access support.

Why Cosy Homes in Lancashire was created

In 2013, a Lancashire-wide survey commissioned by Public Health highlighted the direct, negative impacts that living in cold, damp homes had on residents' physical and mental well-being. Around the same time, national policy changes shifted funding administration away from local councils and into the hands of national energy suppliers.

This shift meant energy companies engaged commercial installers who often targeted the easiest, most profitable properties. As a result, vulnerable residents, individuals with severe health conditions, and properties that were harder to treat were being left behind.

Determined to restore fairness, Lancashire’s local authorities joined forces to create Cosy Homes in Lancashire. By pooling resources and leveraging trusted relationships with local third-sector organisations, voluntary agencies, and frontline staff, Cosy Homes in Lancashire ensured that support and funding reached those who needed it most.

What impact has Cosy Homes in Lancashire had

Over the years, the collaborative effort across Lancashire’s councils has delivered significant results:

4,000+ homes improved: in the last five years alone, over 4,000 households have benefited from major energy-efficiency upgrades.
£100 million secured: Cosy Homes in Lancashire has successfully secured £100 million in grant funding to invest directly back into Lancashire homes.
7,000 annual enquiries: every year, the team processes roughly 7,000 applications and enquiries for home efficiency advice and support.

Because Lancashire local authorities have built strong operational systems over two decades of partnership, Cosy Homes in Lancashire actively secures surplus government funding that other councils across the country fail to spend, maximising every penny for local residents.

What happens behind the scenes at Cosy Homes in Lancashire?

Delivering energy improvements requires a coordinated effort across several specialists:

Local authority energy officers: dedicated officers within every district council identify need and oversee local delivery.
Managing agent and trusted installers: a central managing agent coordinates projects and liaises directly with households. Crucially, Cosy Homes in Lancashire only works with Lancashire-based installers, supporting local businesses, apprentices, and suppliers while helping contractors achieve the required accreditations.
Customer-centric care: from application to sign-off, measures are quality-checked. While installations can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months depending on planning permissions, energy performance criteria, or conservation requirements, customer care remains the top priority throughout the journey.

Debunking the misconceptions

There are two common myths about Cosy Homes in Lancashire that often prevent people from reaching out:

Myth 1: "It’s a private company or contractor."
Fact: Cosy Homes in Lancashire is an official, council-backed initiative. It is a secure, trusted alternative to private doorstep sellers or cold callers.

Myth 2: "It’s only for people on benefits."
Fact: Cosy Homes in Lancashire offers help for almost everyone. While grants exist for those receiving benefits, funding streams target:

Working households: families or individuals with a total household income of £36,000 or less.
Specific postcodes: residents living in recognised Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) areas, provided the property has an eligible Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between D and G.
Everyone else: advice, guidance, and low-cost measures (such as the Little Van of Warm service) are available regardless of financial situation.

Protecting Residents Against Scams

With energy-efficiency scams on the rise, vulnerable and elderly residents living alone are increasingly targeted by dishonest operators asking for money upfront. Because Cosy Homes in Lancashire is fully backed by local councils, residents can rely on it as a safe space.

If you ever receive a suspicious call or visit asking for payment for heating or insulation upgrades, contact the Cosy Homes in Lancashire team first to verify whether it is legitimate.

How to Get Started

Applying takes just five minutes, and there is nothing to lose by checking your eligibility. Even if you don't qualify for a full grant, you can still access free energy advice and support services.