Home Improvement Schemes

We’re all feeling the pinch as our household bills rise but there are several home improvement schemes available that will give you money to help you reduce your energy bills. Sound good? Let’s take a look…

Many of you have probably seen your gas and electricity bills at least double in the past few months. If you’re looking for ways to make your home more energy-efficient, the good news is there are a number of government grants available to help you.

Warm Homes Nest Scheme

The Nest scheme offers a range of free, impartial advice and, if you are eligible, a package of free home energy efficiency improvements such as a new boiler, central heating, insulation, or solar panels. This can lower your energy bills and benefit your health and wellbeing.

Arbed and Nest schemes provide funding for energy efficiency improvements to low-income households and those living in deprived communities across Wales.

You could also be eligible for free energy efficiency improvements if you own your own home, rent from a private landlord, if your home is inefficient or expensive to heat or if you or someone in your household receives a means-tested benefit or has a chronic respiratory, circulatory or mental health condition and an income below defined thresholds.

Free loft and cavity wall insulation

Effective insulation is key to reducing your energy bills. Over a quarter of your home’s heat is lost through the roof of your home and new insulation can actually save you nearly £600 a year for a detached home.

You may be eligible to have this work carried out for free under this scheme. Energy companies have an obligation to help low-income households make heating improvements to their homes.

Boiler Upgrade Scheme

The government is providing grants to encourage you to install low carbon heating systems such as heat pumps through this scheme. The grant can help you overcome the upfront cost of low carbon heating technologies.

You can get:

• £5,000 off the cost and installation of an air source heat pump
• £5,000 off the cost and installation of a biomass boiler
• £6,000 off the cost and installation of a ground source heat pump

Green Homes Grant

£500 million funding has been allocated to local authorities through the Local Authority Delivery (LAD) scheme to help you improve the energy efficiency of your home. Homeowners could get vouchers worth up to £5,000.

To qualify, you must have a household income of less than £30,000 a year. Your property must also have an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D, E, F or G.

Tenants in the private rented sector can also apply to pay for a grant to improve their rental property.

There is help out there if you need it. For advice on which home improvements could add value to your property if you’re thinking of selling contact our team. For a free market-led valuation you can speak to our team on 01633 870777.