Grants for Heating and Insulation

FREE HOME INSULATION FOR ANYONE OVER 70!

Under new Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) legislation, utility companies are obliged to fund energy improvements to domestic properties.  As at April 2008, ANYONE over 70 years of age is entitled to FREE cavity wall and/or loft insulation, if appropriate for the property.  This can be obtained through any installer of insulation, but it is best to check with the local Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre to ensure your installer is bonafide.  Call 0800 512 012 for advice.

The Council itself does not provide grants, but there are grants available from other sources.

For free and impartial advice about grants for insulation, or how to get the best deal, contact the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight on 0800 512 012.  They can also give advice about renewable energy installations in the home.

There are generally two sources of grants for insulation.. 

•  The Warm Front Grant
•  Utility Company Grants

Warning - there have been cases where Bogus Installers or Representatives have called on householders claiming to be from the Council or from Warm Front. 

If this happens and you have not applied for a grant from Warm Front, then please contact the Council immediately.  If in any doubt, please contact either the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre for Hampshire and Isle of Wight (0800 512 012) or jane.altounyan@eastleigh.gov.uk .  Do not divulge any personal information unless you are certain the caller is bona fide.

You may also qualify for a loan through the Council's Southern Home Loan Partnership which can be used for insulation, or essential repairs such as a new central heating system.

Alternatively, you can visit the Energy Savings Trust webpage that describes what grants are available and includes a link to a comprehensive domestic energy grants database.

The Warm Front Grant

This Government grant is available to:

• People claiming a disability related benefit
• Those claiming Child Tax Credit, with an income of less than £15460
• Households with a pregnant woman, or children under 16 claiming income related benefit
• People aged over 60 claiming income related benefit
• People claiming Attendance Allowance
• People claiming War Disablement Pension or Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit both of which must include an element of Constant Attendance Allowance

Free insulation and heating measures are available and the scheme is open to owner-occupiers and tenants in privately rented accommodation.  If you are claiming benefits, and you need both heating and insulation works, you may find that it is better to get the insulation done through utility company funding (call 0800 512 012 for more information) as there is a limit on your allocation of Warm Front of £2700.  If you have used this for insulation you will have less to use for heating works.

It is also possible that the amount quoted for heating works is greater than the entire £2700 maximum allocation and you will then be asked to pay a "top up", sometimes of several hundreds of pounds.  Unfortunately Eastleigh Council is unable to cover this top up, but you may be able to obtain a low interest loan under our Southern Home Loan Partnership.  Ring 0845 389 9494 for more information.

In addition a £300 voucher towards heating repairs or a new boiler is available to all owner occupiers or private tenants aged over 60. You do not need to be in receipt of benefits to claim this voucher and there is no means test.

You can apply on line at http://www.eaga.co.uk/ or by calling 0800 316 6011 or 0800 316 6012 for the £300 voucher.

Utility company grants (via CERT - the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target legislation)

Energy companies also grants to help customers be more energy efficient.  These grants are available to all owner-occupiers and there are no income or age restrictions. You do not need to be in receipt of benefits to claim one of these grants.  The level of grant available will depend on the size of your house and the type of heating fuel you use.  

However, please note that although the utility companies are under an obligation by the Government to fund energy saving measures, it is at their discretion the nature and amount of support. 

You can contact your own fuel supplier to find out further information about grants they may be offering. Grants are available for both loft and cavity wall insulation. Typical prices for loft and cavity wall insulation are £220 for each measure (this is the price you pay after the grant has been taken into account).  However, the grant may cover the entire cost of the works, if you are a priority customer (ie generally over 60 and/or claiming some type of benefit).

You can also contact the Energy Savings Trust Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 who will be able to tell you which is the most suitable grant for you.

Contact jane.altounyan@eastleigh.gov.uk