THOUSANDS of households are missing out on free cash to help improve their energy efficiency.
The government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme can help with energy-saving improvements for your home.
The government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme can help you fund a boiler repair or replacement[/caption]
As part of the scheme, you can get free cash to replace or repair your boiler.
You can also get financial help for insulation work, for example to your loft or cavity walls.
According to Which?, a new or replacement boiler typically costs between £600 and £2,500.
This cost could be covered as part of the Energy Company Obligation scheme if you are eligible.
Plus, a new energy-efficient boiler could help you shave hundreds of pounds off your energy bills every year.
According to British Gas estimates, you can save as much as £840 by replacing your old boiler with an energy-efficient one.
Am I eligible?
You might qualify to get help through the scheme if you live in private housing and claim one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Pension Guarantee Credit
- Pension Savings Credit
- Income Support
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Child Benefit
- Housing Benefit
If you own your house, it must have an energy efficiency rating of D, E, F or G to be eligible.
But if you rent from a private landlord, the house must have an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G to be eligible.
You must also have the owner’s permission to do the work.
You might also be eligible for help under the scheme if you live in social housing.
If you live in social housing that has an energy efficiency rating of E, F or G, you might be eligible for help with insulation or installing a heating system for the first time.
How to apply
If you’d like to apply, you can contact your local council to find out if they are taking part in the Energy Company Obligation scheme.
You can also contact an energy supplier directly.
The energy suppliers taking part in the scheme are:
- British Gas
- E (Gas & Electricity) Ltd
- E.ON UK Solutions
- Ecotricity
- EDF
- Octopus Energy
- Outfox the Market
- OVO
- Scottish Power
- So Energy (including ESB Energy)
- The Utility Warehouse
- Utilita Energy Ltd
- You can find contact details of suppliers who are taking part in the scheme on the Ofgem website.
More help this winter
And if you’re struggling with energy costs, more help could be at hand this winter.
British Gas has put aside £140million to support customers facing financial hardship through its Energy Support Fund.
Households in England, Scotland and Wales could be eligible for up to £2,000 support with their energy bills this winter.
The fund is available to existing British Gas customers who are experiencing or are at risk of fuel poverty.
The fund is available to existing British Gas customers who are experiencing or are at risk of fuel poverty.
OVO Energy is handing out free blankets and smart sockets to help customers with rising energy bills this winter.
The energy company’s Extra Support Package is worth £56million and also includes energy efficiency upgrades, from loft insulation to a new boiler.
If you can’t get help through the funds and schemes above, there are other options available.
Energy suppliers will issue £150 payments through the government’s Warm Home Discount Scheme.
The scheme offers a one-off, tax-free discount on electricity bills for eligible households.
What energy bill help is available?
There’s a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you’re struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don’t think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don’t need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you’re struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
