Energy Guides

Warm Front insulation grants

By Daniel Barnes daniel@consumerchoices.co.uk

Making your home more energy-efficient is a great way to cut gas and electricity bills and the results can be almost instant.

There are a number of schemes around to help you with the cost of making your home more energy efficient as the government aims to encourage us to cut our carbon emissions.

One major government scheme is Warm Front, which provides help with insulation and heating to people on low incomes and those receiving benefits.

What help is on offer?

Warm Front offers help with the costs of loft insulation, draught-proofing, cavity wall insulation, or a new boiler.

However, the popularity of the scheme means there may be a wait for insulation work of three months and six months for heating work.

Grants for gas central heating work are set at a maximum of £3,500, or £6,000 if you have oil central heating.

Warm Front says the grants will cover the cost of most work, but in some cases it can be necessary to pay for work not covered by the grant.

The first step is for an adviser to visit your home and gauge what help you need before workers are brought in.

What work is carried out?

Loft insulation As much as 20% of all heat from a home is lost via the loft. While you may be hoping there’s an antique hiding in the dust, instead of a windfall, the attic could be haemorrhaging money.

Draught-proofing: Work can help the loss of heat through doors and windows.

Cavity wall insulation: Up to a third of heat from a home is lost through walls. Small holes are drilled into the exterior walls of homes and insulation is pumped into the gap between walls.

Cavity wall insulation is generally suitable for homes built after 1930 and before 1995.

Heating: Warm Front first offers to repair your boiler or provide a replacement if it is beyond repair.

With a new gas central heating system, Warm Front fits up to five radiators, but workers do not hide pipes under floor boards or inside walls.

Who qualifies for Warm Front?

If you are receiving one of a number of a long list of benefits, you could be eligible for grants of up to £3,500 under the Warm Front scheme.

Householders over the age of 60 and receiving income support, council tax benefit, pension credits, or housing benefit could all qualify for the scheme.

Meanwhile those with a child under the age of 16 or who are pregnant and are receiving the same benefits could also be in line for help.

If you are renting from a private landlord, you will need their permission for any work.

A full list of all the benefits which could entitle you to Warmfront is available from warmfront.co.uk. (www.warmfront.co.uk)

Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Warm Front is only available in England.

However, separate schemes are in action in the rest of the UK.

In Scotland the Energy Assistance Package scheme is run by the Scottish Government. (www.energyassistancepackage.com)

The scheme provides free loft and cavity wall insulation along with central heating grants to people receiving benefits, over the age of 60 or with children under 5 or with disabilities.

In Wales, the Home Energy Efficiency Scheme provides grants of up to £3,600 for householders over the age of 60, lone parents or people suffering from disabilities or chronic illnesses.

Grants cover cavity wall insulation, draught-proofing, and central heating.

More details are available from (www.heeswales.co.uk)

The Northern Ireland Warm Homes scheme offers help with cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and hot water tank jackets for households receiving a wide range of benefits. (www.warm-homes.com)

Full details of Warm Front are available from the scheme’s website, along with how to apply.(www.warmfront.co.uk)