Plumbheat Winter 2016

6 PLUMBHEAT GRANTS AND FUNDING
Updates on grant and loan
funding for domestic heating and
support available for plumbers
Ian Cuthbert, Programme Manager, Sustainable Energy Supply Chain, Energy Saving Trust
There are a number of Scottish
Government funded schemes available
now which offer financial support to
householders wishing to upgrade their
heating systems. In this article, Ian
Cuthbert from the Energy Saving Trust
summarises both the support available
to householders, as well as suppliers
operating in the energy efficiency market
in Scotland.
Improving the energy efficiency of
Scotland’s existing buildings is fundamental
to meeting Scotland’s target of an 80 per
cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
by 2050.
Eradicating fuel poverty in Scotland
is also a key target for the Scottish
Government, and in June 2015 they
announced that improving the energy
efficiency of Scotland’s homes and nondomestic
building stock will be designated
a national infrastructure priority. This will
be implemented through Scotland’s Energy
Efficiency Programme (SEEP). With currently
over 500,000 F- and G-rated gas boilers in
Scotland there is clearly potential for boiler
upgrades.
To help meet these targets the Scottish
Government introduced a series of market
support programmes, standards and targets.
These include the Home Energy Efficiency
Programmes for Scotland (HEEPS) schemes,
which provide practical, long-term support
to households that may struggle with rising
fuel bills, and keeping their home warm.
This support includes interest free loans,
with 25% cashback (when combined with
the loan) and equity loans, all administered
by the Energy Saving Trust and which
can be used for measures such as boilers,
insulation and controls.
How much can householders get?
Under the HEEPS Loan scheme, applicants
can borrow up to 75% of their quoted costs,
up to a maximum loan value of £15,000.
In addition to this, applicants can claim a
grant of 25% of their quoted costs, up to a
maximum of £3,750. A Green Deal Advice
Report must be carried out prior to the loan
being approved, of which a grant of up to
£150 can be claimed towards the cost of the
report.
The maximum loan available for gas, LPG
and oil boilers, warm air units and electric
storage heaters is £5,000. Householders can
also claim up to £500 towards ‘secondary
measures’ including cylinder thermostats,
hot water jackets and heating controls
though this must be combined with a
‘primary measure’ such as a new boiler.
INTErEST-frEE LOaNS
WITH 25% CaSHbaCK
There are lots of ways you could make your home
warmer and more energy efficient with an interest free,
unsecured loan of up to £15,000*. Available through
Home Energy Scotland from the Scottish Government
your loan can let you spread the cost of a wide
variety of measures including boilers, insulation
and double glazing.
For a limited time and subject to available funding,
householders are eligible to receive a grant of 25%
of the costs of the work, up to a maximum of £3,750.
You must be able to complete works and claim funding
by 10th March 2017 to benefit from this offer.
don’t mIss out on ImprovIng your home
for more InformatIon vIsIt
www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/heeps-loan-scheme
or call
Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282
to request an application form.
The Energy Saving Trust is an impartial organisation
and does not recommend or endorse any particular installer.
Certain measures require a certified installer.
* Successful loans will be subject to an administration fee.