Council reminds residents that financial help is available to boost their homes' energy efficiency
Posted on 26 Jul 2024
North Ayrshire Council wants to hear from residents who need financial support to make their homes more energy efficient.
The Council’s Energy Smart programme of energy efficiency measures supports privately-owned and private-tenant households on low incomes to boost insulation at their properties.
The Energy Smart funding pot of £1.5 million is part of the Council’s Cost-of-Living-Crisis support and is available now on a first-come-first-served basis.
The range of measures available include:
- Cavity wall insulation
- Hard-to-treat cavity wall insulation
- Under-floor insulation
- Heating controls and programmers
- Loft insulation
- High heat retention storage heaters
- Draught proofing and
- LED bulbs.
To be eligible for Energy Smart funding your household’s gross income must be less than £43,662 and proof of income will be required. Multiple measures can be installed but there is a limit to the grant per household.
You can register your interest for this scheme with the Council’s managing agent, M-Four, by going online here https://bit.ly/3RH0Keh or by calling 0800 471 4738.
Successful applicants will be contacted by the Council’s installer, Valley Group, to arrange a survey and discuss the measures suitable for your home.
Councillor Tony Gurney, Cabinet Member for Green Environment and Economy, said: “There are different funding programmes available that can help improve everything from wall insulation to bulbs in people’s homes.
“The measures stop heat from escaping, helping residents to use less energy to heat their homes and save money on bills.
“It is vital, especially while we are still navigating our way through the Cost-of-Living-Crisis, that North Ayrshire residents make financial savings where possible.
“Making properties more energy efficient also helps people stay warm and prevent illness – and reduces greenhouse gas emissions, reducing our carbon footprint.”
Information on other energy efficiency funding available in North Ayrshire can be found below with more details on the Council’s Energy Management webpage.
Energy efficiency funding that is currently available, for owned or private rentals, subject to eligibility criteria, in North Ayrshire is:
Energy Smart - Council funding.
Covers: Insulation, heating controls, electric storage heating, draught-proofing and LED bulbs.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of less than £43,662 who
own or privately rent a property in North Ayrshire.
The Council’s managing agent is M-Four and the installer is Valley Group.
Area Based Scheme (ABS) - Scottish Government funding that is managed by the Council.
Covers: Insulation, electric heating and renewables.
Available to: Those living in target areas with a household income of less than £32,000 after tax and housing costs, living in privately-owned properties that are in Council Tax bands A to C. Target Areas will be lettered to introduce this scheme, for 2024/25 target areas are the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran.
The Council’s managing agent is M-Four and the installer is Valley Group.
ECO4 Flex – Energy company funding that is subject to Council eligibility checks.
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of £32,000 or less who have qualifying medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the cold. Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D,E,F or G.
ECO4 Great British Insulation Scheme Flex (GBIS Flex) – Energy company funding that is subject to Council eligibility checks.
Covers: A single insulation measure or heating controls.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of £32,000 or less with qualifying medical conditions. Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D, E, F or G and be in Council Tax bands A to E.
The Council’s approved installation partners for ECO4 Flex and GBIS Flex are Valley Group and Green Home Systems (both accredited Trustmark installers).
Schemes that residents can find out more about, which have no Council involvement, include:
ECO4: Help to Heat Group
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those on income-related benefits.
Funded by: Energy companies and delivered by Trustmark accredited installers
Find out more online at: ECO4: Help to heat group or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
ECO4 Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
ECO4: Help to Heat Group
Covers: Insulation and heating controls
Available to: Those on income-related benefits. Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D, E, F or G and be in Council Tax bands A to E.
Funded by: Energy companies and delivered by Trustmark accredited installers.
Find out more online at: ECO4: Help to heat group or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan
Covers: Insulation, heating, renewables and glazing.
Available to: Residents who own and live in their own property.
Funded by: The Scottish Government and manged by Home Energy Scotland
Find out more online at: Home Energy Scotland – Grants and Loans or call 0808 808 2282.
Warmer Homes Scotland
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those receiving a qualifying benefit.
Properties must be on Council Tax band A to F and have poor energy efficiency. Properties with no central heating where there is a household member over 75, or residents with a qualifying medical certificate.
Funded by: The Scottish Government and managed by Home Energy Scotland.
Find out more online at: Warmer Homes Scotland or call 0808 808 2282.
You can also go online to www.north-ayrshire.gov.uk for information on Cost-of-Living support on everything from household energy bills to school uniforms, or phone the Council’s Customer Services team on 01294 310 000.