Financial support for home energy efficiency

If anyone in your household is receiving benefits, then the first place to start is by asking your energy supplier if they can help. They should be able to tell you what help is available through the Energy Company Obligation (ECO).

This scheme, available in England, Scotland and Wales, obliges energy companies to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of those who need them most.

You can also try calling your local authority – they will be aware of any local initiatives in your area that can provide help.

And you can look at the Simple Energy Advice website, which includes lots of information and guidance on financial support, as well as information on how to save energy.

If you’re based in Scotland, you can visit Home Energy Scotland, or call the service on 0808 808 2282 for free, impartial, expert advice, including information on grants and loans available to make energy efficient home improvements.

There’s a wide range of financial support available for Scottish residents, including those who are struggling to heat their home. Find out more about grants and loans available in Scotland.

You may also be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which obliges energy companies to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of those who need them most.

Nest scheme

The Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme aims to make Welsh homes warmer and more energy efficient places to live.

Nest is open to all householders in Wales and provides advice on saving energy, money management, energy tariffs, and benefit entitlement.

In addition to free advice, if you own or privately rent your home and you or someone you live with receives a means tested benefit, you may be eligible for home improvements at no cost.

If you are eligible, a Nest assessor will visit your home and recommend a tailored package of improvements that will help to make your home warmer and save you money on your energy bills. Suggested improvements, funded by the Welsh Government, may include a new central heating boiler, radiators, heating controls and insulation.

If your home is hard to heat, contact Nest on Freephone 0808 808 2244 for free advice and to see if you are eligible for free home improvements, or visit the Nest website for more information.

Energy Company Obligation

If you live in Wales, you may also be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme, which covers energy efficiency home measures.

Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme

Energy Saving Trust manages the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) on behalf of the Utility Regulator.  NISEP provides grants to help you implement energy saving measures in your home, such as grants for energy efficient boilers, heating, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.

It provides approximately £8 million of funding for energy efficiency work in Northern Ireland each year. Primary Bidders to this scheme have designed a range of offers and incentives for those people who fall outside of other government funded schemes. 22-23 schemes have been approved and will be published on the Utility Regulator website in due course.

Affordable Warmth

Affordable Warmth is funded by the Department for Communities. If you are an owner occupier or householder of a privately rented property and your gross annual household income is less than £23,000, you may be eligible for a package of energy efficiency and heating measures, tailored to each household.

Householders should contact their Local Council to enquire about Affordable Warmth.

Boiler Replacement Scheme

This scheme, provided by funding from the Northern Ireland Executive, offers owner occupiers a grant of up to £1,000 to:

• Replace inefficient boilers with energy efficient condensing oil or gas boilers.
• Switch from oil to gas.
• Switch to a wood pellet boiler.

It is available to those who earn less than £40,000 a year with an inefficient boiler of at least 15 years old and is dependent on total gross income. The scheme, administered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE), is targeted at householders who do not qualify for other government energy efficient improvement schemes, making them vulnerable to fuel poverty.

If you think you may be eligible, call 0300 200 7874 or register by emailing NIHE. You can find more information on NI Direct.

Energy Advice

If you are a householder and would like further information about the current grants available please contact the Northern Ireland Energy Advice line. In the first instance, please get in touch online or via email on nienergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk, or alternatively call 0800 111 4455.

For information on switching energy supplier or for price comparisons please go to:

The Consumer Council’s Energy Price Comparison Tool.

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales and want to make energy improvements to your home or heating system, you may be eligible for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme.

This is a GB-wide scheme that obliges energy companies to install energy efficiency measures in the homes of those who need them most.

If someone in your household receives a pension or is on benefits, then more support schemes are open to you.