Owning your own home can be expensive. Recent rises in mortgage interest rates, gas and electricity have made running a home a costly business. So it is good to know there are grants and schemes available to help reduce some of these costs.
According to the Energy Saving Trust (2007), the average household could save around £250 a year by installing energy efficiency measures.
If you improve the insulation in your property you improve the thermal efficiency of your home, for example, by insulating your walls and loft spaces you could reduce heat loss by up to 45% and prevent a lot of wasted energy.
Grants for insulation
Most energy companies offer reduced price cavity wall and loft insulation. You don't even need to be their customer.
To find out more contact:
All of the above offer free cavity wall and/or loft insulation to homeowners and private tenants over 70, or in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits or tax credits:
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Income support
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Housing benefit
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Council tax benefit (not including single occupancy reduction)
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Income-based jobseeker's allowance
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Attendance allowance
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Disability living allowance
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War disablement pension (which must include mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance)
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Disablement pension credit (which must include constant attendance allowance)
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Child tax credit (with a household income of less than £15,592)
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Working tax credit (with a household income of less than £15,592)
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State pension credit
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If you are over 70 years old
Any member of the household can be over 70 or in receipt of the benefit and you don't even need to be a customer of the energy company you apply to.
Alternatively, you may qualify for the Scottish Government Warm Deal Programme. It provides a grant of up to £500 for a package of insulation measures to home owners or tenants of private landlords. To qualify, you (or your partner) must be in receipt of one of the benefits listed above. There is a smaller grant of up to £125 for pensioner households not on benefit. To make enquiries about Warm Deal contact Scottish Gas who manage this project on 0800 316 6009.
The Scottish Government also run a project called the Central Heating Programme for pensioners who do not have a central heating system or have a system that is broken down. Please visit the grants for insulation and draught proofing| page for more information.
Energy Saving Scotland advice centre
This organisation is dedicated to achieving energy efficiency within the region. Staff can provide impartial energy efficiency advice as well as information on grants available to reduce your energy use.
A home energy check, based on individual circumstances, can be produced at your request detailing specific energy saving measures and advises on any grants which may be available to help reduce your energy consumption.
If you are interested in renewable technologies they have a dedicated Officer who can advise on the grants available through Scottish Community and Household Renewable Initiative (SCHRI).
For more information on any of the above please phone 0800 512 012 (Monday–Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm).
Email: sustainability@thewisegroup.co.uk|
Save and reward
Falkirk Council, in partnership with Scottish Gas is offering homeowners the Save and Reward scheme. This offers subsidised cavity wall and loft insulation.
If you spend £250 installing cavity wall insulation and/ or £274 installing loft insulation in your home you'll qualify for a £75 refund from Scottish Gas.
The offer comes with a 25 year CIGA guarantee and an option of interest free credit over one or two years (subject to status). If you are aged 70 or over, or in receipt of an income related benefit you may qualify for free insulation. (No rebate applies.)
Another exciting offer is for those who are interested in renewable energy. If you purchase a Solar hot water system through Save and Reward from around £4,200 you will receive a rebate of £400.
Arrange a free no-obligation survey by calling Scottish Gas on 0845 9717731 quoting reference 'FALK'.
Is your home losing heat?
You can find out where the heat you pay for, may be escaping – due to draughty doors and windows or lack of insulation – thanks to a special offer for homeowners from Falkirk Council.
The Council has teamed up with IRT Surveys of Dundee, to provide 1,000 local homeowners with a thermographic survey – an infrared photograph – at a specially discounted price of only £35.
The survey photograph will reveal the 'hot spots' in your home where action needs to be taken to reduce heat loss. Along with the survey homeowners will be given information on costs, energy, carbon and CO2 emissions associated with the problem areas.
To find out more about this offer please phone IRT on 01382 598510.