Help to make homes more energy efficient

1st October 2013

The Scottish Government has extended a grant scheme to local authorities and housing associations to help more Scots get green upgrades to their homes this winter.

The Green Homes Cashback scheme, managed by the Energy Saving Trust, was launched in November 2012 to give householders cash back towards the cost of measures to make their homes greener. Householders looking to apply for the cashback should contact the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline free* on 0808 808 2282.

Now, one year on, Scotland’s 32 local authorities and 246 registered social landlords (RSLs) can also apply for a grant of up to £1m for homes under their care. Their bid can also include improvements to private housing. The money must be put towards making energy saving upgrades such as installing insulation and new boilers.

Up to £1200 is available per home, so local authorities and housing associations could help more than 800 of their tenants save money on their fuel bills this winter while enhancing the value of their housing stock.

Green upgrades funded under the scheme include: insulation; a new boiler; glazing; fitting low energy lighting and new heating controls. The money is available on a first come first served basis and all installations must be completed by 31 March 2014. More information is available at www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/socialhousing

Around 600,000 homes across Scotland are owned and managed by local authorities and registered social landlords, with more than half being council houses. A social housing provider can range from a local authority with 38,000 houses to a small housing association with fewer than 50.

Energy Minister Fergus Ewing said: “Fuel poverty is an absolute scandal in an energy rich country like Scotland. It is our belief that everyone in Scotland should live in a warm and safe home that doesn’t cost the earth to heat.

“The extension of the Green Homes Cashback scheme will give local authorities and housing associations the means to help their tenants combat rising energy bills, which are a huge concern for this government.

“We want to do everything we can to help people cut the amount of money they spend on fuel this winter.”

Mike Thornton, director, Energy Saving Trust in Scotland, said: “This is a great opportunity for local authorities and housing associations to get up to £1m cashback towards the cost of greening their housing stock and, most importantly, reducing fuel bills for their tenants.

“I would urge all social housing providers to download an application form and apply today. All the work has to be completed by the end of March 2014 and the money will be allocated on a first come first served basis.”

The scheme for householders is also still open. It lets householders claim:

Up to £500 for insulation measures including loft, cavity or solid wall.
Up to £400 to replace an old boiler.
Up to £300 for other measures (such as glazing, LED lighting and heating controls)

Anyone who would like to reduce their energy bills should contact the Home Energy Scotland hotline on 0808 808 2282 free, or visit www.homeenergyscotland.org to find out more about the Green Homes Cashback scheme as well as other energy saving offers available to them.