Energy Grant Assistance

Discounted offers for loft and cavity wall insulation through CERT (Carbon Emissions Reduction Target) Funding

There are various discounted insulation offers available for homeowners and people living in privately rented accommodation. If you would like more information about these grants and discounts, or you would like to apply, please contact the Energy Saving Trust Advice Centre, Anglia (ESTACA) on freephone 0800 512012.

RECENTLY ANNOUNCED - CERT 100% funding for insulation for over 70's

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE POPULARITY OF THIS SCHEME, YOU SHOULD EXPECT TO BE PUT ON A WAITING LIST UNTIL EXTRA FUNDING IS MADE AVAILABLE IN THE NEW YEAR.

The CERT scheme as mentioned above, now offers 100% funding for cavity wall and/or loft insulation if you're over 70 years of age and you own your home or live in privately rented accommodation (not Housing Association). You do not need to be in receipt of any benefits to be eligible for the over 70's scheme.

The District Council are working with Aran Services to promote this offer.

If you would like more information or would like to apply, please contact Aran Services directly on freephone 0800 5877795.

Warm Front Grant

If you are in receipt of certain income or disability related benefits, the Government’s Warm Front scheme offers up to £2,700 for energy efficiency improvements including:

Loft insulation
Draughtproofing
Cavity Wall Insulation
Hot water tank insulation
Gas, electric or oil central heating
Repairs to your existing heating system
Converting a solid fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire

You can contact Warm Front directly on 0800 316 2814 or alternatively you can contact ESTACA as above on freephone 0800 512012. They can check your eligibility and refer an application across on your behalf.

Sometimes there is an excess to pay on Warm Front grants if the cost of the work exceeds the grant maximum of £2,700. If this is the case you may be eligible for a ‘top-up’ grant of up to £800 through the District Council’s Private Sector Housing Team. For more information on the Private Sector Housing Team or to apply for a ‘top-up’ for your Warm Front grant, please call 01480 388388 or click on the link on the right hand side of the page.

Warm Front Benefit Check

Warm Front also offer a ‘benefit’ check. If you’re not sure whether you are entitled to a Warm Front Grant, call the Benefit Entitlement Check Team free on 0800 072 9006. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9.00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.

Warm Front £300 Heating System Rebate Scheme

This rebate is available to all householders aged 60 or over, who own their home or rent it from a private landlord, who either have no central heating system or one which is inoperable. The rebate can be used for gas, electric or solid fuel installations or repairs.

Householders must call 0800 316 2805 to apply. You will be sent a voucher/claim form, with details of six registered installers working in your area. Householders applying for the funding will only be permitted to use installers who are approved by CORGI, NICEIC or OFTEC and who are registered with Eaga for the £300 Heating Rebate Scheme.

We would recommend that householders obtain more than one quote.

The householder can choose which installer on the list they would like to use to carry out the work and will contact them directly to arrange an installation date.

Once the installation has been completed and the customer is satisfied, the installer will provide the householder with an invoice for the works, showing a £300 deduction. The customer will then provide the registered installer with the voucher/claim form to enable the installer to claim the rebate from Eaga.

Please note - you must only use installers who are registered with Eaga for the scheme, and rebates cannot be given retrospectively.

Warmer Homes For Life Scheme

Do you own your home or live in privately rented accommodation?

If so and you receive any of the following benefits, you will be eligible for free cavity wall and loft insulation through Huntingdonshire District Council's Warmer Homes For Life Scheme.

Child Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460)
Working Tax Credit (with an income of less than £15,460)
Attendance Allowance
Disability Living Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefit
Council Tax Benefit
War Disablement Pension
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
Pension Credits

As part of the on-going improvement of housing across the district, Huntingdonshire District Council are promoting the 'Warmer Homes For Life' scheme, offering eligible households free cavity wall and loft insulation for their homes.

Along with this offer, all eligible households will also benefit from an assessment of their property to help identify where other home improvements can be made and will be advised of financial assistance that may be available to assist them.

To request an application form for the Warmer Homes For Life scheme, please telephone the Environment Team 01480 388388.

BERR Low Carbon Buildings Programme – Renewables (microgeneration)

BERR's Low Carbon Buildings Programme provides grants for microgeneration technologies for householders, community organisations, schools, the public and not for profit sector and private businesses. Microgeneration technology is the standalone generation of low carbon heat and/or electricity, which includes:

Solar PV panels
Wind turbines
Small hydro
Solar thermal hot water
Ground source heat pumps
Bio energy

The programme will run over 3 years starting from 1st April 2006. It replaces the DTI’s Clear Skies and Solar PV Programme, which ended on 31st March 2006.

There are 2 streams of grant funding available:

Stream one – smaller projects for home owners

Stream two – larger projects including businesses, community organisations and the public sector.

For more details click on the link on the right hand side of this page or telephone 0800 915 7722.

Frequently Asked Questions about Energy Grants

Q Are there any energy efficiency grants available for double glazing?

A No, there is no grant assistance available for double glazing as an energy efficiency measure.

Q Is there any financial assistance available for heating measures such as a new boiler?

A If you are in receipt of an income or disability related benefit then you may be eligible for grant assistance for heating through the Warm Front scheme as mentioned above. Also, if you are 60 or over but not in receipt of a benefit, you can apply for the Warm Front £300 Heating Rebate System Scheme, please see above for details.

Q Why is it that only people in receipt of a benefit can get a 100% grant?

A The Government’s Warm front Grant, which is managed by the EAGA Partnership is currently aimed at those considered to be vulnerable or in ‘fuel poverty’. This includes home owners or tenants in privately rented accommodation who are on a low income with young children, the elderly and the disabled who are in receipt of benefit assistance. Similar eligibility criteria applies to the District Council's Warmer Homes for Life Scheme.

Q I’m thinking of installing solar panels. Can you recommend an installer and is there any grant assistance available?

A Huntingdonshire District Council are currently working on a joint promotion with 'Climate Energy', and are offering a £600 grant towards the cost of solar through their particular scheme. Call the EnvironmentTeam on 01480 388388 for more information or to apply.

Grant assistance is also available through BERR's Low Carbon Building Programme. Visit their web site using the link on the right for more information and a list of accredited installers who are part of the scheme.

Q What do I do if I’m eligible for a Warm Front grant but there is an excess for me to find?

A Sometimes, particularly with heating systems, the £2,700 grant from Warm Front isn’t enough to cover the costs of the work. The Home Improvement Agency at the District Council may offer you a top-up grant of up to £800 for any excess that is required by Warm Front. You can contact the Home Improvement Agency on 01480 388388.

Q I live in a Luminus Group or Housing Association property and I receive a benefit, can I get a grant for insulation?

A No, energy efficiency grants or discounts are not available to people living in social housing. It is the responsibility or the Housing Association to carry out any necessary work on the property.