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Can I get a heating grant?

Our expert says…

Hello Steve,

Good news - there are grants available to improve your heating and energy efficiency. Here's my expert advice on the types of grants that are availbale and what you could be eligible for...

What grants are available?

The UK Government funds schemes providing up to £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is recommended) to vulnerable households in order to improve their heating, insulation and energy efficiency. The scheme is known by different names in different parts of the UK, as follows:

• England – Warm Front (www.warmfront.co.uk)
• Wales – Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (www.heeswales.co.uk/)
• Northern Ireland – Warm Homes (www.eaga.com)
• Scotland – Warm Deal and the Central Heating Programme (www.communitiesscotland.gov.uk)

The eligibility criteria for the schemes differ - with some schemes you need to be in receipt of certain benefits, whilst others are available to anyone over a certain age. I will guide you through Warm Front, the scheme in England which has already assisted over 1.7 million homes since it was started in June 2000.

How can I qualify for a grant?

Check the Warm Front website for full details of eligibility criteria, however in general to qualify for a Warm Front grant householders must fit into one of the following categories:

• Be aged 60 years or over and in receipt of an income related benefit (for example Income Support, Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit)
• Have a child under 16 (or be pregnant with maternity certificate MAT-B1) and be in receipt of a designated income related benefit or tax credit.
• Be in receipt of a designated disability related benefit or Disabled Person’s Tax Credit

What could I be eligible for?

A grant can provide a package of heating and insulation improvements, as well as energy efficiency advice. The Warm Front Grant can provide:

• Gas, electric or oil central heating (including a combination boiler, up to five radiators and all valves and pipework).
• Loft insulation
• Cavity-wall insulation
• Draught proofing
• Hot water tank insulation

If you have already received Warm Front improvements, you can re-apply for further help, but the maximum grant available will be £2,700 (or £4,000 if oil central heating is involved) minus the value of all works previously completed.

What happens if I qualify for a grant?

If your application is successful, a trained assessor will visit your home to determine the full requirements of your individual property. The visit will take no longer than one hour, will be arranged at a convenient time for you and will normally happen within 21 working days of your application being approved.

During the visit, the assessor will ask to see proof of your benefits, discuss with you the energy improvements that are available under the Warm Front scheme and recommend those based on the needs of your property. Once the improvements have been agreed, a team of fully-trained installers will make the required improvements to your home.

What if I’m not eligible for a grant?

If you do not qualify for a Warm Front grant, you should contact your energy supplier to find out about alternative schemes.

As a result of the Government’s Carbon Emission Reduction Target (CERT), all the big energy suppliers are obliged to achieve targets for improving energy efficiency in the home.

Suppliers now provide a range of grants and discounts which can significantly reduce the cost of installing an energy efficiency measure. Householders over 70 or in receipt of a benefit are often entitled to free insulation and all other households will be able to access a discounted scheme.

You can take up offers from any energy supplier, regardless of who supplies your gas and electricity, so it is always advisable to contact more than one to get competitive quotes, as different companies offer different measures.

What else can I do?

As well as installing central heating there are several other energy saving measures that are worth looking into:

• Loft and cavity wall insulation – This can dramatically reduce heat loss from your home.
• Draught proofing – This will help to keep the whole house warmer and will cut your energy bills.
• Hot water tank insulation – Tank jackets are cheap and available from most DIY shops. They should pay for themselves in fuel bill savings within a few months.
• Secondary glazing – Cheaper than replacement double glazing, secondary glazing could stop your home from losing up to 20% of your heat through single glazed, poorly fitting windows.

Ask us a question

If you have an energy query please email ourexpert@energychoices.co.uk

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