Are you constantly worrying about paying your energy bill on time? Do you leave the heating off because you can’t afford to heat your home? There is a way to escape fuel poverty for good. You can achieve this by tapping into energy efficiency grant funding, a solution that not only warms your home but makes it more affordable to do so.
The UK government has made a steadfast commitment to ramping up energy efficiency nationwide, with a special emphasis on assisting low-income and vulnerable homes that currently grapple with lower energy efficiency.
Energy saving funding might just be the lifeline you’ve been eagerly waiting for and it’s available for homeowners in England, Scotland and Wales. However, the number of schemes and their differing eligibility criteria make it a challenge to know where to start. So, read on to discover more about the energy-saving grants you might qualify for and how you can make your home more comfortable for less.
The Importance of Energy Efficiency in Your Home:
Before we delve into the world of funding and available improvements, let’s take a moment to consider why energy efficiency in the home is so important. Energy-efficient homes are those that demand less heating and produce fewer harmful emissions. Typically, this is achieved through enhanced insulation or the installation of better heating systems.
These energy efficiency upgrades can dramatically reduce emissions and reduce your energy bills month on month. However, their benefits extend beyond cost savings and environmental impact—they can also increase the overall value of your home. And if you happen to be reading this from a chilly, draughty stone-built cottage or house, here’s some exciting news—you may already qualify for funding.
Tackling Fuel Poverty Head-On in the UK:
Do you dread your energy bill falling into the doormat? Perhaps you’ve resorted to limiting your heating usage due to the increasing struggle to afford to pay for it. Fuel poverty is a widespread issue affecting millions of individuals across the UK, and its grip is steadily tightening. The heartening news is that applying for an energy efficiency grant today could be your ticket to warming your home at a fraction of the cost. Everyone deserves the comfort of a warm home, and taking action could turn that dream into reality for you.
Many factors can cause fuel poverty but some of the most common include living in a stone-built chilly home and having no connection to the gas grid. Instead, you might be relying on more expensive fuels like LPG or oil or coal.
Unlock a Wealth of Government Energy Grants:
In England, Scotland, and Wales, a broad selection of energy efficiency grants awaits homeowners, thanks to the government’s continued dedication to combat fuel poverty and climate change. These initiatives are often tailored to provide support to vulnerable or low-income households. Initiatives available include the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme and the Home Upgrade Grant (HUG) scheme.
The improvements available under each UK scheme differ but include insulation, heating upgrades and solar panel installation. Your home will be assessed to determine which improvements will be best for you.
What Schemes Are Available in the UK?
Here are some of the standout energy-saving schemes in the UK:
- Energy Company Obligation (ECO)
- Boiler Upgrade Scheme
- Local Authority Delivery Scheme
- LA Flex Scheme
- Great British Insulation Scheme
While many of these schemes require claimants to be receiving benefits, there are some other routes to funding available. One such route is called LA Flex. It’s part of the ECO scheme and allows councils to extend funding to other vulnerable households and to set their own criteria.
What Improvements Are on Offer?
To ensure every home has access to the most suitable improvements, there is a wide selection of upgrade options available. These include:
Electric Storage Heaters: Storage heaters can be an efficient way of heating a property and are most suited to flats and smaller homes. They retain heat, reducing the amount of energy used.
External Wall Insulation: Perfect for homes that have solid brick or solid stone walls.
Loft Insulation: Traps heat where it matters most.
Internal Wall Insulation: Internal wall insulation is a great option for insulating a solid wall, without compromising the external look of your home.
Cavity Wall Insulation: Cavity wall insulation is a relatively low-cost retrofit measure that can save hundreds of pounds per year on energy bills.
Gas Central Heating: Funding is currently only available to install gas central heating in a property if there is already an existing gas meter in the dwelling.
Air Source Heat Pump: An air source heat pump is a very efficient way of heating a home and producing hot water.
Solar PV: Generate free electricity from the sun, every day of the year.
Room In Roof Insulation: Suitable for properties that have a habitable room within the roof space.
Am I Eligible For Funding?
Working out whether you are eligible for funding can be daunting, but the good news is there are companies that can help you make sense of the criteria. While rules differ from scheme to scheme, general rules include:
Someone living in the property being in receipt of specific benefits such as Housing Benefit or Universal Credit.
Homes without mains gas connections may qualify for various energy-saving measures.
Homes with an income under £31,000 or occupants with health conditions exacerbated by the cold may be eligible.
Imagine What Energy Improvements Could Do For You:
Imagine receiving thousands of pounds of improvements to your home to make it more energy efficient and warm. From insulation to solar panels, there are many ways to improve your comfort and reduce your energy costs. And all without any cost to you.
A Message from Energy Saving Grants:
“We’ve been on a mission for years to improve the energy efficiency of the UK’s homes. There’s nothing we like to see more than the transformation energy improvements can make for our customers’ warmth and well-being. We’re committed to reducing fuel poverty and carbon emissions and look forward to helping more homeowners in the future”.
Don’t Miss Out – Funding Won’t Last Forever
Many of the schemes mentioned above have an expiration date and the funding is allocated on a first come, first served basis. Get in touch with Energy Saving Grants and they will be able to advise on which funding schemes you may be eligible for.
To find out more about the funding available to homes throughout the UK, call the Energy Saving Grants experts on 0330 223 0333. Taking action today could mean you no longer have the worry of energy costs weighing on your mind.
