Energy Guides

Energy efficiency grants for pensioners

By becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

You can easily save money on your gas and electricity bills through energy efficient improvements. But what isn’t always easy is finding the money to make those improvements. However, most pensioners around the UK will be eligible for some form of government grant to help with energy efficient improvements such as cavity wall and loft insulation.

If you’re over 60, or know someone who is, then there is financial help available if you’re planning to make energy efficient improvements to your home. This guide will give you a breakdown of what government grants are on offer for pensioners around the country, and how much money you could be eligible for. Read on and then do a postcode search with the Energy Saving Trust to see how much funding you could receive…

• Warm Front - help for pensioners in England
• The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme - help for pensioners in Wales
• Energy Assistance Package - help for pensioners in Scotland
• Warm Homes Scheme - help for pensioners in Northern Ireland

Warm Front - help for pensioners in England

The Warm Front scheme provides a package of insulation and heating improvements up to the value of £3,500 (or £6,000 if oil central heating is recommended), to low income families and other vulnerable households around England. It is a government-funded initiative, and is available to homeowners and those that rent from a private landlord.

To qualify for a Warm Front grant you must be either:

• In receipt of designated income related benefits or tax credit, and have a child under 16
• In receipt of a designated disability-related benefit or Disabled Person’s Tax Credit
• Aged 60 years or over and in receipt of an income related benefit.

If you do not qualify for a Warm Front grant because you do not receive a relevant benefit, you may still be eligible for a £300 rebate.

For more information visit www.warmfront.co.uk, or call freephone 0800 316 2805.

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The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme - help for pensioners in Wales

The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (HEES) is a Welsh Assembly-funded initiative aimed at making homes in Wales warmer and more energy efficient. The HEES grant provides a package of heating and insulation improvements up to the value of £2,000 for homeowners that either have a child aged under 16 or are pregnant and have been given maternity certificate MAT B1 and are in receipt of a qualifying benefit.

In addition to this, the HEES Plus offers grants of up to £3,600 for heating and insulation improvements to householders who are 60 or over and to single parents with a child under the age of 16. Again, claimants must be in receipt of one of a range of benefits.

Homeowners living in Wales who are aged over 80 do not need to be in receipt of any benefits to automatically qualify for HEES Plus.

For more information visit www.heeswales.co.uk, or call freephone 0800 316 2815.

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Energy Assistance Package - help for pensioners in Scotland

The recently introduced Energy Assistance Package has replaced the Central Heating and Warm Deal energy efficiency grant schemes. The package is designed to help homeowners find cheaper energy prices to make sure they are on the right tariff, as well as ensuring that they claim any benefits they are entitled to.

The scheme, which is managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Scottish Government, also provides insulation measures for homeowners who fit the eligibility criteria.

The package has four stages:

• Stage 1 - Free expert energy advice to anyone who phones the Energy Saving Trust network on 0800 512 012. This is available to everyone.
• Stage 2 - Benefits and tax credit checks and advice on low-cost energy tariffs. This is available to those at risk of fuel poverty.
• Stage 3 - A package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation). This is available to older households and those receiving one of a range of benefits.
• Stage 4 - A package of enhanced energy efficiency measures. This is available to those who are most vulnerable to fuel poverty.

Depending on individual circumstances, enhanced efficiency measures included in the package may consist of installation of a new central heating system, a new boiler, and having room thermostats and heating controls fitted.

For more information visit www.scotland.gov.uk, or call freephone 0800 316 6009.

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Warm Homes Scheme - help for pensioners in Northern Ireland

The Warm Homes Scheme began on 1 July 2001, and is funded by the Department for Social Development and managed by eaga plc. The scheme, specifically for homeowners and those that rent from a private landlord, provides a package of energy efficiency and heating measures, up to the value of £850. In addition to this, you’ll also receive energy efficiency advice, tailored to your household, provided by a Home Visits team.

The energy efficiency measures available include:

• Cavity wall insulation
• Reflective radiator panels (solid walls only)
• Loft insulation
• Draught proofing to windows and doors
• Hot water tank jackets
• Compact fluorescent lamps
• Energy advice

The Warm Homes Plus Scheme also offers grants of up to £4,300 for an enhanced package of heating and insulation measures for those over 60 and who are in receipt of one of the necessary benefits. These pensioners may be eligible for additional heating measures if they don’t have an Economy 7 or a solid fuel system.

For more information visit www.eaga.com, or call freephone 0800 181 667.