The UK government and energy suppliers (via the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme) provide grants to help you implement energy-saving measures in your home, such as grants for energy-efficient boilers, heating, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
Government
Affordable Warmth grant scheme
If you live in Northern Ireland and you need help to pay for energy efficiency improvements you may be eligible for the government’s Affordable Warmth Scheme. The scheme provides a package of energy-efficiency and heating measures, tailored to each household.
You may be eligible if you are an owner occupier or householder of a privately rented property and your gross annual household income is less than £20,000.
In the case of a privately rented property you must be named on the Tenancy Agreement. Your landlord must also be registered with the Department for Social Development’s Landlord Registration scheme and give consent for any energy efficiency improvements to be done. Your landlord will also have to contribute towards the cost of the work.
What energy efficiency measures are available?
Here is a prioritised list of measures available under the Affordable Warmth scheme:
Priority rating | Conditions in existing property | Improvement measures available |
---|---|---|
Priority 1 - Insulation | No cavity wall insulation | Install cavity wall insulation |
Ineffective cavity wall insulation | Remove and replace cavity wall insulation | |
No loft insulation or below minimum | Installation or top up of roof space insulation to 270mm | |
No hot water jacket | Install hot water jacket | |
Ineffective or no draught proofing | Draught proof windows/doors | |
Priority 2 - Heating | No heating system exists | Installation of natural gas or oil heating |
Conversion of existing LPG or solid fuel system | Installation of natural gas or oil heating | |
Conversion of Economy 7 | Conversion to natural gas (or oil where natural gas isn't available) or conversion to high efficiency storage system | |
Householder 65 or over, or with child under 16, or receiving a disability benefit and with a boiler over 15 years old | Boiler replacement and new radiators where required | |
Heating system exists without controls | Add heating controls | |
Heating system exists but radiators defective | Replace radiators as needed | |
Priority 3 - Windows | Windows in disrepair | Repair/replace windows with double glazing if draught proofing is not possible |
Priority 4 - Solid wall | Solid wall with no insulation | Internal/external insulation |
How does the Affordable Warmth scheme work?
Council staff will:
- contact households they have identified as being most affected by fuel poverty and ask you to complete a short survey
- send completed surveys to the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)
- with your agreement request that the Social Security Agency’s ‘Make the Call’ team complete a benefit entitlement check to make sure you are getting all the benefits you are entitled to
NIHE staff will then:
- complete a technical survey, usually within six weeks of the initial council survey being completed
- decide if you qualify for the scheme
- work with you to get energy efficiency improvement work done by local installers
- arrange payment of the grant
Once the Housing Executive has given written approval for the energy efficiency work to be done, you can either arrange for an installer of your choice or select one from a Housing Executive list to do the work. Please note that:
- the Housing Executive list is not an approved list
- installers should normally be accredited to a relevant trade body
When the council's Building Control department certifies the work has been completed to Building Control Regulation standards the Housing Executive will arrange for payment to be made.
Access to the Affordable Warmth scheme
All local councils across Northern Ireland will be targeting households identified as eligible for energy efficiency improvement work under this scheme. Areas considered most in need of energy efficiency measures will be contacted first.
Source: http://www.nidirect.gov.uk/
Local Agencies
There are two home improvement agencies in Northern Ireland who offer additional assistance to process applications for adaptations in privately owned or privately rented property. Advice and assistance from these agencies is free and confidential. The agencies are Gable (Shelter, Northern Ireland)and Fold Housing Trust.
G.A.B.L.E. (Shelter Northern Ireland)
- information on grants for home improvement
- support and help right through the grants process
- technical advice
- help with selecting contractors
- help to organise building work
- visits on site while work is progressing.
G.A.B.L.E. (Shelter Northern Ireland)
Unit 24
Orchard Road Industrial Estate
Orchard Road
Strabane BT82 9FR
Fold Housing Trust (Staying Put Department)
- advice on repair and improvement of property
- information on obtaining grants and loans
- advice on adaptations for disabled people
- practical help with the grants administrative process
- technical support e.g. selecting builders
- obtaining plans
- technical advice.
Fold Housing Trust
Staying Put Department
Fold House
3-7 Redburn Square
Holywood BT18 9HZ
Website address: www.foldgroup.co.uk