Grants and discounts

Every homeowner in Plymouth is entitled to discounts on energy efficiency measures. Those who are in receipt of certain benefits may be entitled to free insulation or a grant towards the cost of heating and insulation. The main schemes are Warm Front, Energy Efficiency Commitment and Plymouth Healthy Homes, see below for more details.

• Warm Front grant of up to £2700
• Warm Front £300 heating scheme
• Energy Efficiency Commitment grants and discounts
• Plymouth Healthy Homes grant
• Heating grants
• Insulation grants
• Free independent energy advice

Warm Front grant

Warm Front is a national Government scheme operated by Eaga Ltd. The grant is up to £2,700 for most people. Some homes that need oil central heating may receive a grant of up to £4,000. The grant will pay for energy advice and a package of insulation and heating improvements, depending on what your home needs. You may be asked to make a contribution towards the cost of improvements, depending on the works required and whether you have received a Warm Front grant in the past. There are three ways of qualifying for a grant:

If you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:

• working tax credit, with an income of less than £15,050 per year and which must include a disability element
• child tax credit, with an income of less than £15,050 per year
• attendance allowance
• disability living allowance
• income support, which must include a disability premium
• housing benefit, which must include a disability premium
• council tax benefit, which must include a disability premium
• war disablement pension, which must include a mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance
• industrial injuries disablement benefit, which must include constant attendance allowance

If you have a child under 16, or are pregnant and have a maternity certificate MAT B1, and are in receipt of any of the following:

• income support
• housing benefit
• council tax benefit
• income-based jobseekers allowance
• pension credit

If you are aged 60 or over and receive any of the following:

• income support
• housing benefit
• council tax benefit
• income-based jobseekers allowance
• pension credit

To view a Warm Front leaflet or a Warm Front Grant application form see the documents below.

Visit the Eaga - Warm Front grant application page to apply online.

The Warm Front scheme changes from time to time. For latest information and to apply online, visit the Eaga website. Alternatively, telephone Eaga on 0800 316 6011.

Warm Front £300 heating scheme

If you are aged 60 or over and have either no heating system or an inoperable system, you can receive a £300 rebate towards the cost of a new central heating system. To obtain the rebate you need to contact Eaga, who will give you a list of approved heating installers in the Plymouth area. You should obtain more than one quote.

To find out more go to Eaga - Warm Front £300 heating rebate scheme or telephone Eaga on 0800 316 2814.

Energy Efficiency Commitment grants and discounts

Energy Efficiency Commitment (EEC) funding is provided by energy companies as part of an obligation by the Government to save energy. EEC can pay for insulation measures such as cavity wall insulation, loft insulation and draughtproofing. The scheme is divided into two parts, one for the 'able to pay' sector and the other the 'priority group'. The 'able to pay' group make a contribution towards the cost of work. Every homeowner in Plymouth is entitled to this discount. The 'priority group' are essentially people in receipt of income-related benefits. For this group insulation measures can be installed free of charge.

There are many EEC funded schemes operating in the Devon area. To find out what might be the best scheme for you, contact the Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012. Look out for an announcement on this website for details of an EEC scheme promoted by Plymouth City Council.

Plymouth Healthy Homes grant

Plymouth Healthy Homes grant is for people who are not on benefit, and.who have certain medical conditions.

Living in a cold damp home can increase the risk of respiratory (breathing) illnesses, strokes and heart conditions. Improving the heating and insulation in your home may reduce these health risks, and will save you money on your heating bills. Plymouth Healthy Homes provides grants to people with medical conditions like those given above. Grants are aimed at people who are not in receipt of benefit - if you are on benefit you probably qualify for Warm Front grant.

Plymouth Healthy Homes is funded by Plymouth City Council and is often matched with funding from the Energy Efficiency Commitment. The grant will pay towards the cost of insulation (eg loft or cavity wall insulation). If you are 60 or over, the grant will also contribute towards the cost of heating improvements.

The scheme also provides training for front-line staff who visit vulnerable people at home. This includes district nurses and social workers. If you are a health or social services professional and are interested in fuel poverty/affordable warmth/health and housing training, contact the energy team see details on the right hand side.

For information about all grants and discounts listed here telephone 0800 512 012.

Heating grants

Heating grants are available from Warm Front and Plymouth Healthy Homes. These grants can help cover the cost of central heating systems or repairs to your existing system. The Warm Front scheme can also convert your solid-fuel open fire to a glass-fronted fire.

Insulation grants

Insulation grants are provided by Warm Front, Energy Efficiency Commitment and Plymouth Healthy Homes. These grants can help pay for a variety of energy efficiency measures, including:

• loft insulation
• cavity wall insulation
• draught proofing doors and windows
• hot water cylinder insulation and others

Free independent energy advice

Free advice is available from the Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC). You can contact them for advice on grants and discounts available in the local area. If you complete a home energy questionnaire they will send you a free energy report tailored to your home. This will show the energy efficiency measures that would be appropriate for your property.

Contact The Devon Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512 012 for information on all Grants and Discounts.

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