Your guide
to a warmer,
energy-efficient home
Welcome to
Free Heating
Scheme
Our mission is to connect householders like you with
funding, support and Government-backed schemes
which will help to reduce your energy bills.
This is all about reducing the amount of energy you have
to pay for, through new energy-efficient heating systems
and insulation as well as generating your own electricity,
using solar panels.
And the best part? All of this is completely free of
charge. No catches. No nasty surprises.
Over the next few pages, we’ll give you all the
information you need to find out if you can benefit
fromsupport to reduce your energy bills. If you have
anyquestions, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on
0330 822 4157 or visit us at [Link]
“But you don’t get anything for
free…”
We hear you. However, in this case, you absolutely do. Our
schemes are 100% free of charge. We’ll never ask you to
pay a penny.
The funding we have access to has been put aside to
support householders who need it most. Those who are
struggling to pay their energy bills or are having to make
difficult decisions when it comes to the energy they use
in their homes. This is your chance to take back control of
your energy – and we’re here to help you to do it.
Who funds your work?
The schemes and grants we promote are paid for through
two routes.
First, energy companies have an obligation to improve the
energy efficiency of homes in the UK and part of the
energy bills we all pay goes towards this. Secondly, the
UK Government has put aside funds to support vulnerable
people who need support to pay their energy bills and
reduce their energy use.
Since we had our new heating
system installed, our energy
bills are lower and our house is
warmer than ever - couldn’t be
happier!
Julie, Leeds
What help can I access?
We give you access to a number of schemes and support Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS)
to help reduce energy use and improve the efficiency of
their homes. The Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) is a government
initiative that offers grants to help replace fossil fuel
In all cases, properties must have an Energy Performance heating systems with heat pumps or biomass boilers
Certificate (EPC) rating of D or lower to qualify. in homes and non-domestic buildings in England and
Wales.
ECO4 - The Energy Company Obligation Scheme
This scheme, which supports the decarbonisation of
ECO4 is a Government-backed, energy company-funded heat in buildings, offers £7,500 towards the installation
scheme to give eligible households access to a range of of air or ground source heat pumps and £5,000 for
energy saving measures completely free of charge. biomass boilers.
Applicants can access solar panels, air source heat pumps Home Upgrade Grants
and insulation completely free of charge, significantly
reducing their energy bills. The Home Upgrade Grant helps low-income households
upgrade off-gas homes’ energy efficiency. If eligible,
The Great British Insulation Scheme you could receive improvements such as wall, loft,
underfloor insulation, air source heat pumps, and
The Great British Insulation Scheme offers energy electric radiators, organized and funded by your local
efficiency upgrades, like insulation, to improve home council.
warmth and reduce energy bills.
This initiative aims to enhance home comfort,
This initiative, administered by Ofgem, aims to make reduce energy bills, and contribute to environmental
energy-efficient living accessible and affordable, sustainability, making energy efficiency more accessible
significantly cutting energy costs. to those in need.
Why am I eligible?
If you have qualified for a government-backed heating
grant with us, you will have met the criteria set out by We were unsure at first, but
the UK Government. This criteria relates to either your signing up is one of the best
property or personal conditions, including; decisions we’ve ever made.
Making our own electricity
Energy Performance Certificates - An EPC is a measure instead of paying the energy
of how energy efficient a home is, usually based on how company is a big plus!
well it retains heat. Rated A (Excellent) to G (Poor),
eligible properties must have an EPC of D or lower. Tom, Cardiff
Type of property - Currently, we’re only able to support
householders in traditional housing, so no park homes or
caravans. Homeowners and private tenants can apply,
however we’re unable to support Housing Association or
Council tenants.
Benefits - If someone in your household is in receipt of
meanstested benefits, you can use this as part of your
application. Please note though, you do not need to be
in receipt of benefits to apply.
Income - Low income households are a key target for
government objectives. If your household income is
under £31,000, you may be eligible for extra support.
There is a range of additional criteria you can take
advantage of to make your application, including
where you live, your age, if you live with young
children or if you have any vulnerabilities which make
living in cold or damp conditions.
What will I have installed?
We’ll give you access to the latest technology to make
saving (and generating) energy a breeze, as well as some
more familiar methods of keeping your home warm.
Air Source Heat Pumps
An Air Source Heat Pump works by extracting the heat
from the air outside and converting it into heat for your
home. The heat pump works like a refrigerator, but in
reverse, and can keep your home warm even in the
coldest conditions. Using a heat pump to heat your home
can be up to 400% more efficient than using LPG, oil,
solid fuels and even conventional gas boilers.
Heat Pump Myths
Heat Pumps are a relatively new technology, so there
are plenty of myths and rumours about how they work.
Heat Pumps don’t work when it’s cold - This is untrue.
Air Source Heat Pumps are particularly popular in
countries such as Norway and have been shown to
work in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees!
Heat pumps are noisy - Also untrue. Air Source Heat
Pumps run at around 40db, which is quieter than an
average microwave.
Solar Panels
Most of us are familiar with solar panels and will have seen
them on the roofs of homes and other buildings. Solar
panels work by converting sun energy into electricity,
which can then be used throughout your home.
Having your own solar system installed means you’ll be
generating free, green electricity for years to come, with
the added bonus of doing your bit for the environment!
Insulation
Having the latest technology installed to heat and power
your home is great, but sometimes it’s the low-tech
solutions which make all the difference.
To make sure the heat you’re enjoying is kept in your
home for as long as possible, we’ll also ensure you’re
topped up with loft and wall insulation. Keeping the warm
in and the cold out.
Frequently asked questions
Can I choose what I have installed? Are your installers qualified?
As part of the application process, a qualified surveyor Yes. We only use installers that are registered with
will visit your home to confirm what measures can be the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS). This
installed. Because these schemes are created to improve ensures the quality and safety of all our renewable energy
the energy efficiency of homes, your surveyor will decide installations.
what needs to be installed to bring your property up to
scratch. Because of this, you’re unable to pick and choose Is everything I have installed warranty protected?
what you’d like installed. Obviously, there is no obligation The Government stated that from 1st January 2020 - all
to go ahead with any of the work you discuss with your suppliers delivering ECO measures must be Trustmark
surveyor. registered businesses or equivalent. Trustmark registered
contractors must provide a minimum of two years
Do I have to be on benefits to qualify? financial protection for completed works in and around
Not at all. There is a range of qualifying criteria which will your home. This should include product warranties and
determine your eligibility. We’ve included an eligibility workmanship. Warranty lengths on larger items such as
checklist in this booklet to help you decide if you’re able solar panels can vary but these usually last for at least 10
to apply. years. Your installer will be able to discuss these details
further with you.
Will I be asked to pay any money?
No. Our schemes are completely free of charge and you What’s an EPC and where can I find mine?
will never be asked to make any payments. You are also An EPC or Energy Performance Certificate is a 4-page
under no obligation to have work done on your property, report that provides the full energy efficiency details of
so applying for a scheme is completely risk-free. an individual property, using a colour-coded traffic light
system and an A-G rating which highlights any areas
How long does the process take? where potential energy improvements could be made.
From the point you first speak to us, it usually takes 2-3 You can also find a copy of your home’s EPC by visiting
months to complete your installation. [Link]/find-energy-certificate.
0330 822 4157
[Link]
