Grants are available from the Scottish Government as part of their Energy Assistance Package. This is an holistic package to help maximise incomes, reduce fuel bills and improve the energy efficiency of homes. It has four stages:
Stage 1. An initial energy audit is available to anyone who phones the Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre (ESSAC) on 0800 512 012.
Stage 2. Those at risk of fuel poverty may be offered benefit and tax credit checks and advice on low cost energy tariffs.
Stage 3: Private Sector: You may qualify for a package of standard insulation measures (cavity wall and loft insulation) if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private landlord and you or your partner is:
- aged 70 or over and you have no central heating
or
- aged 75 or over
or
- receive a qualifying benefit
Stage 3: Social Sector: if you are a council or HA tenant similar insulation measures may be available to you. For information you should contact your landlord.
Stage 4: You may qualify for enhanced measures if you are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you or your partner is:
- aged 60 or over and you have never had central heating installed in your home
or
- you are a home owner or the tenant of a private sector landlord and you live in an energy inefficient home and you or your partner
- is aged 75 or over
- is aged 60 or over and receives a qualifying benefit
- has a child under 5 and receives a qualifying benefit
- has a disabled child under 16 and receives a qualifying benefit
- is pregnant and receives a qualifying benefit
Help may also be available for those in mobile homes.
'Energy inefficient homes' are defined as those where an energy audit identifies that the dwelling has a SAP score (energy rating) of 38 or less. For more information on SAP ratings see:
http://www.sap-online.co.uk/reference-material.html
Depending on individual circumstances, the enhanced package may consist of but is not limited to:
- Installation of a new central heating system including where appropriate air source heat pumps;
- A new boiler;
- Draught proofing;
- Internal or external wall insulation;
- Cavity wall insulation;
- Loft insulation;
- Room thermostats and heating controls;
- Insulation of tanks and pipes
For more information call the Energy Savings Scotland Advice Centre (ESSAC) on 0800 512 012.
More information is also available on the Energy Saving Trust website
Can I get grants from fuel suppliers?
Most gas and electricity suppliers offer grants regardless of income and you don’t always have to be a customer of theirs to apply. This is for home insulation and other energy efficiency measures. They also run various discount schemes promoting the use of energy efficient appliances and lighting. These initiatives are funded under the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target, and are designed to help consumers use energy more efficiently. The status of these grants changes regularly, so for up-to-date information contact the Energy Saving Scotland Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 for details.
Social Tariffs
All energy providers have to offer social tariffs to help their most vulnerable customers cope with the high costs of gas and electricity. In accordance to the new Ofgem rules, all social tariffs must equal the supplier’s cheapest deals.
The following current schemes (as of December 2008)
Scottish and Southern
EnergyPlus Care from Scottish and Southern offers those customers experiencing fuel poverty a 20 per cent discount on their current fuel prices - regardless of which payment method they use. To find out more about the tariff call 0800 622 838.
Scottish Power
Carefree Plus social tariff, offers eligible customers a saving of up to £112 a year on their energy bill. Customers on the new tariff will also be able to have free insulation work done on their homes and receive a Benefits Health Check to ensure that they’re receiving all the help they’re entitled to. To find out more about the tariff call 0141 568 2928 or 0845 2700 2700.
British Gas
The Essentials tariff offers prepayment and credit consumers the same unit price as Direct Debt consumers. Eligibility is dependent upon consumer receiving certain benefits. To find out more about the tariff call 0800 072 7100
E.ON
The StayWarm tariff is specifically designed to help vulnerable customers over the age of 60. It offers fixed monthly payments agreed in advance to older people. Payment levels depend on the size of home, number of occupants and the annual consumption. This scheme used to effectively allow consumers to use as much as they needed: however this has now been restricted – new consumers must not be deemed high users and must agree to pay by Direct Debt. To find out more about the tariff call 0800 169 4694
EDF
Energy Assist tariff is aimed at those customers experiencing fuel poverty - where they have to spend more than 10 per cent of their household income on gas and electricity - or those receiving income support or pension credit.
Energy Assist gives vulnerable customers a 15 per cent discount on EDF’s standard energy prices. To find out more about the tariff call 0800 328 9010
Npower
If your annual income is less than £13,500 you might be eligible for the Spreading Warmth tariff from npower, which offers discounts to customers on a low income and with someone in the household aged over 60, disabled, suffering from a chronic illness or under 16 years old.
| Return to Table of Contents
| Return to "Do you want to find out how to improve or adapt your current home?"