How to obtain a Government Grant to make your home more energy efficient

There are currently numerous Government backed schemes available which provide funding for people to make their homes more energy efficient. Energy Saving Grants can help people access this funding.

They have helped thousands of people obtain grants for energy saving measures such as Loft insulation, Wall insulation, Solar panels and replacement heating systems to be installed.

The Government funding schemes are designed to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty throughout the UK. Some of these schemes include the Energy Company Obligation, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme, the Local Authority Delivery scheme, the LA Flex scheme and the forthcoming ECO Plus Scheme.

Although some of these grant schemes require applicants to be in receipt of benefits to apply for funding, the good news is that Energy Saving Grants can help some people obtain funding even if they are not in receipt of any tax credit or benefit.

In some Council areas including Ceredigion, Powys, Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Swansea, residents can apply for an energy saving grant if they are not in receipt of any benefit.

To qualify, the property must not have mains gas central heating; and the total income of the property must be below £31,000 per year, or alternatively there must be somebody living in the property with a chronic medical condition that is made worse by living in a cold home (eg. respiratory diseases, cardiovascular conditions or limited mobility).

A representative of Energy Saving Grants explained that the amount of funding available is based on the amount of carbon dioxide that will be saved by installing a particular measure. ‘As a general rule of thumb, properties that do not have mains gas central heating receive the highest amount of funding, as these properties are generally more expensive to heat.’

Some properties have qualified for grants of up to £45,000 to be made more energy efficient. This work has included insulating the loft and walls of the property and installing solar panels and electric central heating systems with radiators to provide heat and hot water. This work has been carried out at no cost to the homeowner.

Energy Saving Grants are able to guide people through the funding application process which can often be confusing for people who have no prior experience of applying for a grant. The service is provided at no cost to the applicant.

The service is available to private homeowners and private landlords and tenants throughout Wales. Unfortunately they are unable to obtain funding for residents living in social housing, but they advise social housing residents to contact their housing association.

As is the case with most grant schemes, the amount of funding available is limited. For more information of the grants available, you can visit their website at: www.energysavinggrants.org or you can call them to speak to an energy advisor:

Tel 0330 223 0333

info@energysavinggrants.org