Yes, this is an article with the unbearable truth; summer is fleeting and winter is on its way. If you are one of the select few who basked in a glorious moment of sunshine then I envy you. Bitterly. For those who kept the waterproofs close, or those who foresee yet another record breaking winter, this article shall briefly outline help to allow your household to reduce heat loss and save funds before the rain washes away those “rainy day” savings. Help is available in the form of grants and advice. To ensure conciseness – but also credible utility – the article shall focus upon the larger grant machines and shall highlight these according to nation.

England

The Energy Saving Trust (EST) is an imperative source of grants and advice for any householder. The trust offers comprehensive guidance on improving household efficiency and provides ready access to a vast database of grants and awards. Whilst the EST offers dedicated sites and services to devolved nations – as shown in corresponding sections – so too does the site provide UK-wide assistance.

• Energy Saving Trust: A core interest to the EST is the promotion and support of micro-generation. Micro-generation is the process wherein householders and businesses produce their own energy and heat through low scale sustainable sources; commonly photovoltaic panels or small scale turbines. In the UK, micro-generation is a particularly desirable attraction for residents who are able to earn money for producing their own, and excess, energy. Information regarding funding towards micro-generation, as well as the benefits of selling excess energy, is available on a user-friendly system providing tailored information and grants: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Generate-your-own-energy/Sell-your-own-energy
• Energy Grants: Grants of up to £4000 are on offer to those on low incomes or within vulnerable households. These are available to assist with rising energy costs. To be eligible, applicants must meet strict criteria
• be in receipt of designated income related benefit or tax credit and have a child under 16, or
• be in receipt of a designated disability related benefit or Disabled Person’s Tax Credit, or
• be aged 60 years or over and in receipt of an income related benefit

More information on this scheme, and how to apply, can be found here:

http://www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk/gas-electricity/energy-grants-for-over-60-s-in-england-wales-scotland-and-ireland.html

Scotland

• Energy Saving Trust Scotland: The Energy Saving Trust Scotland offers access to a database of grants, tailored to Scotland and offered in accordance with customer postcodes, available here: http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Easy-ways-to-stop-wasting-energy/Energy-saving-grants-and-offers/Grants-and-Discounts-Database

In alliance with the Scottish Government, the EST offers a Home Renewables Loan Scheme. This presents householders with an opportunity to borrow a maximum of £2000 for sustainable heat and energy generation equipment. Further information regarding the Home Renewables Loan Scheme, as well as advice on the methods of micro-generation that may best suit you, is available here;

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/Scotland-Welcome-page/At-Home/Generate-your-own-energy/Home-renewables-loan-scheme

The EST website offers a wide range of energy reducing and money-saving techniques A unique feature of the EST site is the home energy check calculator which shows the tailored financial rewards each home can enjoy as a result of implementing each suggestion. This calculator can be found here:

http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/homeenergycheck/?tc=scotrhs

• Energy Assistance Package: The Energy Assistance website – replacing Warm Deal Scotland – provides clear and impartial advice to allow users to assess current home insulation and financial outgoings. The site then offers realistic and reasonable advice on how users can improve their energy usage behaviours and reap rewards. Information is available here: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Built-environment/Housing/access/FP/eap
• Central Heating Programme: Finally, the Central Heating Programme provides further assistance to those aged over 60 and tenanted within local authority or housing associations. Claimants must live in a home without central heating or where a current system is irreparably broken to be eligible. More information and application forms can be found here: http://www.seniorsdiscounts.co.uk/gas-electricity/energy-grants-for-over-60-s-in-england-wales-scotland-and-ireland.html

Wales

• Nest: In Wales, a new government initiative – called Nest – was created in 2011 to offer assistance and support to residents struggling with energy costs or seeking alternative production methods. The site – or, helpline rather – offers impartial advice on methods of reducing expenditure on energy and provides tailored assessments which allow residents access to funds towards energy costs. The site – http://nestwales.org.uk/ – is user friendly and easy to navigate through useful advice.
• Energy Advice Centre: Finally, the Energy Advice Centre can also provide direction for those seeking sources of financial aid. Whilst this aid is only available to South East Wales, the simple-to-use database allows users to search a vast swathe of grants which meet their tailored demands. Furthermore this site provides particularly effective support to residents in the South East in offering local services. More information can be found here: http://www.homegrants.org.uk/

UK Wide

There are also a select few large scale and UK-wide providers which are worth perusing;

• Energygrants (see www.energygrants.co.uk) provide superb information and guides regarding a range of micro-generation sources, as well as a postcode oriented search engine providing localised funding.
• Those in privately owned or privately rented homes can find financial assistance for loft and cavity wall insulation at www.freeinsulation.co.uk. This site provides localised grants and providers. This site and the afore-mentioned “energy-grants” are subsidiaries of the larger “energy-link” group which also offers advice and funding.
• Local councils may offer financial assistance toward home improvements and fuel costs. Haringey Council’s Warm Front grants is one such example offering support for those over 60, on specified benefits, pregnant and/or responsible for children under 16: http://www.haringey.gov.uk/index/housing_and_planning/housing/housingadvice/homeheatloss/fuel_poverty_grant_assistance/warm_front_grants.htm

This Warm Home Front grant from Haringey Council is a UK Government grant offered nationally and offering up-to £3500 (subject to conditions). Find out more and apply online:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Energyandwatersaving/Energygrants/DG_10018661

• Finally, the Winter Fuel Payment is an option open to those born before 5^th January 1951 and is a tax free payment to assist with fuel costs in winter. Information on how to qualify and apply is available here: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/moneytaxandbenefits/benefitstaxcreditsandothersupport/inretirement/dg_10018657

Whilst this article is far from exhaustive, it highlights core providers of advice or funding regarding energy production, consumption and affordable warmth in the winter months.