At this time of year – with wintry weather on the horizon – colleagues should remember that financial support is available make their homes more energy efficient.
We launched our Energy Smart programme in July, supporting private owners and private tenants to make their homes more energy efficient.
The Energy Smart funding pot of £1.5 million is part of our Cost-of-Living-Crisis support and is available now on a first-come-first-served basis.
The range of measures available include:
- cavity wall insulation
- hard-to-treat cavity wall insulation
- under-floor insulation
- heating controls and programmers
- loft insulation
- high heat retention storage heaters
- draught proofing and
- LED bulbs
The Sustainability team wants to hear from staff living in North Ayrshire who would benefit from this assistance. Multiple measures are available to be installed but there is a limit to the grant per household.
To be eligible for Energy Smart funding your household’s gross income must be less than £43,662 and proof of income will be required.
You can register your interest for this scheme with the Council’s managing agent, M-Four, by going online to the e-form: North Ayrshire Council: Energy Smart or by calling 0800 471 4738. Advisers at M-Four will explain the application process and provide support where required.
Successful applicants will be contacted by the Council’s installer, Valley Group, to arrange a survey and discuss the measures suitable for your home.
The Energy Support Grant is also available for residents who are struggling with energy bills as we continue to navigate our way through the Cost-of-Living Crisis.
Help is available if your gross household income is less than £29,894 or you receive benefits and have a pre-payment energy meter.
Information is available online on the help with the cost of living webpage and you can register by calling the Council on 01294 310000 or using your mygov.scot online account.
Information on other energy efficiency funding available in North Ayrshire can be found below with more details on the Council’s Energy Management webpage.
Energy efficiency funding currently available, for owned or private rentals, subject to eligibility criteria:
Energy Smart – Council funding.
Covers: Insulation, heating controls, electric storage heating, draught-proofing and LED bulbs.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of less than £43,662 who own or privately rent a property in North Ayrshire. The Council’s managing agent is M-Four and the installer is Valley Group.
Area Based Scheme (ABS) – Scottish Government funding that is managed by the Council.
Covers: Insulation, electric heating and renewables.
Available to: Those living in target areas with a household income of less than £31,000 after tax and housing costs, living in privately-owned properties that are in Council Tax bands A to C.
Target Areas will be lettered to introduce this scheme, for 2024/25 target areas are the Isles of Cumbrae and Arran.
The Council’s managing agent is M-Four, the installer is Valley Group.
ECO4 Flex – Energy company funding that is subject to Council eligibility checks.
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of £31,000 or less who have qualifying medical conditions that make them vulnerable to the cold.
Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D,E,F or G.
ECO4 Great British Insulation Scheme Flex (GBIS Flex) – Energy company funding that is subject to Council eligibility checks.
Covers: A single insulation measure or heating controls.
Available to: Those with a gross household income of £31,000 or less with qualifying medical conditions.
Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D, E, F or G and be in Council Tax bands A to E.
The Council’s approved installation partners for ECO4 Flex and GBIS Flex are Valley Group and Green Home Systems (both accredited Trustmark installers).
Schemes for residents with no Council involvement, include:
ECO4: Help to Heat Group
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those on income-related benefits.
Funded by: Energy companies and delivered by Trustmark accredited installers.
Find out more online at: ECO4: Help to heat group or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
ECO4 Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)
Covers: Insulation and heating controls.
Available to: Those on income-related benefits. Properties must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) band rating of D, E, F or G and be in Council Tax bands A to E.
Funded by: Energy companies and delivered by Trustmark accredited installers.
Find out more online at: ECO4: Help to heat group or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.
Home Energy Scotland: Grant and Loan
Covers: Insulation, heating, renewables and glazing.
Available to: Residents who own and live in their own property.
Funded by: The Scottish Government and manged by Home Energy Scotland
Find out more online at: Home Energy Scotland – Grants and Loans or call 0808 808 2282.
Warmer Homes Scotland
Covers: Insulation, heating and renewables.
Available to: Those receiving a qualifying benefit.
Properties must be on Council Tax band A to F and have poor energy efficiency.
Properties with no central heating where there is a household member over 75, or residents with a qualifying medical certificate.
Funded by: The Scottish Government and managed by Home Energy Scotland. Find out more online at: Warmer Homes Scotland or call 0808 808 2282.
You can also go online to the help with the cost of living wepbage for info on further Cost-of-Living support on everything from household energy bills to school uniforms, or phone the Council’s Customer Services team on 01294 310 000.
Support is available for Council staff who live here in North Ayrshire. Through Energy Smart, you can can get funding support with everything from loft insulation to draft proofing. I would advise anyone – across all services – who would like more information to register.Sustainability Officer Gillian Boyd