Government Grants To Help With Energy Bills

Is your household struggling to keep up with the constant rise in energy prices? Are you worried about the impact that household fossil fuels are having on the environment? Did you know that free government backed schemes and energy grants are available to help reduce your bills and carbon footprint?

As part of a government and energy company collaboration launched in 2022 to meet the UK’s net zero climate obligations, the EC04 Scheme and The Boiler Upgrade Scheme have been introduced to enable more households to upgrade old inefficient heating systems, improve EPC (energy performance certificate) ratings and save money on utility bills. Whether your property is powered by gas, electricity or an off grid fuel source, these grants could help you to meet the costs of making your home both cost effective and eco friendly.

ECO4

Designed to financially assist the 3.5 million customers currently estimated as being ‘off grid’ or not connected to a mains gas supply, ECO4 Scheme will cover the whole cost of completely refitting your property with solar panels, a heating system powered by electric air source heat pumps and full floor, wall and roof insulation.

To be eligible:Your home must not be connected to a mains gas supply.

You must own your own home or rent through a private landlord.

Your overall household income must be less than £31,000 or you or someone in your household must be in receipt of a means tested benefit. Benefits can include Universal Credit, Job Seekers Allowance, Employment Support, Pension Guarantee Credit, Income Support, Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credits, Housing Benefit or Pension Credit Savings Credit.

Unfortunately, this scheme does not cover those who live in flats, apartments, static caravans or houseboats.

THE BOILER UPGRADE SCHEME

Although originally designed to help those living ‘off grid’ to upgrade to renewable energy systems, the scheme has since been extended to include the many properties that are connected to mains gas. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme could help you to reduce the costs of replacing your old, inefficient boiler to a more economical and eco-friendly model. The grant not only makes the initial switch more affordable, it will also save you money in the long run. Due to the improved running efficiency of a new boiler or renewable energy heating system, most households can expect to see a significant reduction in their annual utility bills.

How Does It Work?

For those choosing to upgrade to a renewable energy system, the benefit is given in the form of a voucher which goes towards its overall cost and installation and includes:

• £5,000 towards an air source heat pump.
• £6,000 towards a ground source heat pump (including water source heat pumps and those on ground loops).
• £5,000 towards a biomass boiler.

It is important to check that your new proposed heating system meets the scheme’s requirements in order to receive the voucher.

How Much Can You Save?

With a Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher you can expect to save around 50% of the overall cost on upgrading to a renewable energy system.

• Typical cost of an Air Source Heat Pump – £10,000. With a Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher – £5,000.
• Typical cost of a Ground Source Heat Pump – £15,000. With a Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher – £9,000.
• Typical cost of a Biomass Boiler – £10,000. With a Boiler Upgrade Scheme voucher – £5,000.

To be eligible :

You or someone else in the property must be in receipt of benefits such as Pension Credit, Universal Credit, Income Based Jobseekers Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit.

• If you are receiving Child Benefit, depending on your overall household income, you may also qualify
• Private households that do not ordinarily meet means-tested benefits criteria could still be eligible for support through the ECO4 FLEX scheme which is independently approved and regulated through participating Local Authorities. If you have a total annual household income of less than £31,000, are considered to be living in fuel poverty or are vulnerable to the effects of living in a cold home, your Local Authority may be able to refer you for further assistance.
• If your home is currently fuelled by a non-condensing boiler or is 10 years old or more, you could be eligible for a new replacement combi-boiler.

Make sure you’re not one of the many households still unaware that they could qualify for significant financial help towards upgrading their old heating systems. Click on the associated links above to check your eligibility status and for further information on which kind of help may be available to you