Location notice
Please note that this page contains information and links most relevant for people living in Wales.
According to new research by the Welsh Government’s Warm Homes Nest scheme (Nest), more than half of households in Wales (53%)* say they experience stress when thinking about their energy bills.
The research also identifies the main barriers for the quarter (23%) of Welsh households that haven’t made energy efficient home improvements. Over four in ten (43%)* of those households say that renting their property is a barrier and more than a third (35%)* believe that the cost of taking action is too expensive.
The findings come as the energy price cap increased again in January.
Nest publishes 2023-24 annual report
Nest has published its annual report for 2023-24, outlining the action it’s taking to support fuel poor homes across Wales and preparing homes for winter.
A total of 12,809 households received free and impartial energy saving advice and 4,816 households benefited from a home energy improvement package. This led to an average annual energy bill saving of £595.
Since 2011, the scheme has installed energy efficiency improvements in more than 60,000 homes across Wales, helping thousands of families reduce their energy bills.
Caerphilly residents, Mr and Mrs Miles**, saved approximately £487 per year on their energy bills after having a new boiler, new radiators and solar panels installed at their property, through the Nest scheme.
Mrs Miles said:
“My daughter convinced us to apply after seeing Nest advertised online, as we didn’t have the money needed for this. Our children bought us heated jackets for Christmas, so it’s nice that we don’t have to wear those.”
New Warm Homes programme
A new Welsh Government Warm Homes programme launched on 1 April 2024, with a greater focus on low carbon technologies, including heat pumps and solar panels. This supports the Welsh Government’s ambition to make Wales net zero by 2050.
Residents in Wales who own their home or rent from a private landlord may be eligible for free home heating insulation measures if they or someone they live with:
- receives a means tested benefit
- or has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition
- and an income below defined thresholds
Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant said:
“Our Warm Homes Programme has continued to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of our homes, supporting people struggling to meet their fuel costs. This year, we are investing more than £30 million in support for low-income households living in cold, damp homes and at the same time reducing carbon emissions.”
Read the 2023-24 Nest annual report
*Research commissioned by Welsh Government Warm Homes Nest scheme and conducted by Beaufort Research Ltd. Online research conducted 1 – 10 November 2024 with a sample of 1,000 adults in Wales aged 16+.
**Name changed to keep customer anonymity.