As we brace ourselves for winter, people across North Ayrshire are reminded that financial support is available make their homes more energy efficient.

North Ayrshire Council launched its 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 the council’s 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 council wants to hear from residents 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 online with the council’s managing agent, M-Four, 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. Cost of Living information is available online and you can register by calling the council 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 Energy Management webpage.

Energy efficiency funding that is currently available, for owned or private rentals, subject to eligibility criteria, in North Ayrshire is:

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 and 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 that residents can find out more about, which have 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

Visit ECO4: Help to heat group or call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282.

ECO4 Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS)

ECO4: Help to Heat Group

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 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 managed by Home Energy Scotland

Find out more 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.

Published: 20 November 2024