Getting a government grant for heating your home

If you’re a homeowner, we understand that the cost of heating your property is a year-round concern, but especially with the colder months just around the corner.

Similarly, we know you might be keen to play your part in implementing energy efficient methods of heating, but the cost of low carbon heating measures is still a potential barrier. Government grants and incentives have been introduced to help make low carbon heating measures accessible and reduce costs, though we appreciate you likely still have questions about who is eligible and how to apply for them.

   
In this article, we’ll look at some of the schemes you may want to consider applying for when looking into energy efficient heating and how to check if you are eligible. 
 

Warm Homes: Local Grant 

The Warm Homes: Local Grant is a government grant aimed at enhancing energy efficiency in low-income households across England. The initiative will see a projected £500million allocated to approximately 73  projects situated in what is stated to be 270  local authorities over the next three years, with the aim of providing energy performance upgrades and low carbon heating to those who may previously have felt unable to afford them. 

Specific upgrades within the Warm Homes: Local Grant include up to £15 000 for measures like double or triple glazing, draught-proofing, and solar panels. A further £15 000 has been dedicated to help with installing low-carbon heating initiatives like air source heat pumps. 

Eligibility for the Warm Homes: Local Grant is based on income, the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of the property, and postcode area. By offering financial support for energy-efficient upgrades, the scheme aims to ease the financial burden on vulnerable households while aiding the nationwide goal of lowering carbon emissions.

If you’re considering applying for the Warm Homes: Local Grant, you can see if you’re eligible here. It's important to check regional application deadlines as they can affect fund availability. Once submitted, your local council will then assess your eligibility and, if approved, guide you on the next steps.  
 

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is another government grant aimed to support with the cost of replacing traditional boilers with a low-carbon option, such as an air source heat pump. The grant provides up to £7 500, which is deducted from installer quotes. 

Like many similar grants, the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is subject to eligibility. Typically, this will include whether you own your property, if you have a valid EPC, and the type of heating system that you have.

A final key requirement for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme is that your installer needs to be certified under the Microgeneration Certification Scheme. This is a vital mark of quality and allows you to be assured that the installation has been done to the highest standard.

Government discounts for winter energy bills

As well as the various grants mentioned earlier, you may want to consider looking into specific discounts to help with the cost of heating during Winter. For example, The Warm Homes Discount is a one-off discount applied once a year to electricity bills by energy providers at eligible homes to help with the cost of energy during the winter months. See if you’re eligible here and what you may be entitled to. 

Another discount to consider is the Winter Fuel Payment. This allows individuals living in England and Wales born before the 22nd of September 1959 to claim a payment between £100 and £300 towards their heating bills, depending on other factors such as income. You can see if you are eligible for the Winter Fuel Payment here.

Local councils may also have their own, unique support programmes, such as the Household Support Fund, which can help if you are struggling with living essentials including energy and water bills. Be sure to contact your local authority to see what you may be entitled to. 

Steps to improving home energy efficiency all-year round

Other steps you can take to mitigate the cost of your home energy can be simpler than you first thought. Start by checking the quality of your insulation, seal any draughts around doors and windows, and consider switching to energy-efficient lighting. From there, you can look at adopting cleaner heating systems and technology by utilising the grants we looked at earlier. 

Having your boiler serviced at least once a year can also maintain operational efficiency and help you to manage your finances at the same time. A service will be able to identify problems before they escalate, reducing the risk of an expensive repair later on, and helping your boiler to run at an effective, efficient level that prevents energy being wasted.

Turning down your thermostat, even by just a couple of degrees, can be another means of maintaining comfort and keeping costs down. Only heat the rooms that you are using to further prevent unnecessary energy loss. A smart thermostat is a good way of managing your heating and keeping the temperature at a consistent level. 

Low carbon heating solutions from Baxi

At Baxi, we’re here to support you with low carbon heating solutions that meet the needs of your household and your budget. We’re leading the way by working towards carbon neutrality and ensuring our products work with low carbon energy. By committing to being a cleaner, greener manufacturer, we are in the best place to help you reduce your own carbon emissions.

Our dedicated customer service team is on hand to help answer any questions you might have about our products and with a nationwide network of installers, you can be sure that there is one working near you.