Energy grants Energy grants from energy suppliers
Carbon reduction targets mean energy efficiency grants are available from energy suppliers
Gas and electricity suppliers serving more than 250,000 household customers, most notably the ‘big six’ energy companies - British Gas, Npower, EDF Energy, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power and Eon - have been obliged to help people reduce carbon emissions from their homes.
This is driven by the government’s Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (Cert) scheme. Under the scheme, gas and electricity companies have tended to concentrate on offering people help installing insulation - about 1.6 million cavity walls and two million lofts have been professionally insulated using CERT funding since the scheme was introduced.
Suppliers have also provided more than 232 million energy-saving light bulbs to consumers - although this practice has since been banned following concerns that people weren't using them.
But Cert is due to end at the end of 2012. In the autumn of 2012, a new scheme called the Green Deal will be launched. You can find out more, including the work that Which? is doing to make sure the Green Deal is fair for consumers, in our guide to the green deal.
Energy grants from any energy supplier
For householders, Cert means that grants and offers are available from gas and electricity suppliers to cover all or part of the cost of energy efficiency measures, most commonly installation of loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
You can take up grants and offers from any gas and electricity company, not just the one you’re with. So if you get your energy from British Gas, but you like the look of an offer from Npower, there’s nothing to stop you applying for it.
Installation of loft insulation and cavity wall insulation is usually done by a contractor working for the energy supplier you choose to go with - although for loft insulation you will usually have to clear your loft first and take up any boards, as this is not normally included.
Energy-efficiency measure offers vary between energy suppliers
What energy-saving offers are available?
Offers are subject to availability and can vary by supplier, type of property, and the area you live in, so it’s worth shopping around for the best offer for your circumstances.
If you sign up for an offer direct with an energy supplier then the price will be the same wherever you live. When we checked in January 2012 the big suppliers had loft and cavity wall offers available but some were cheaper than others. Price starts at £129 installed or as little as £42 for DIY loft insulation.
You may find local companies, local authorities and big-name retailers like Tesco, Sainsbury's, and Marks and Spencer offering insulation under their own names as well. The majority of these offers are also funded by CERT money from energy suppliers, but can be considerably cheaper. The best place to search for all the offers in your area is the Energy Saving Trust's grants and offers database.
If you’re over 70, or claiming certain income or disability-related benefits, insulation will normally be installed free of charge. Some companies are extending the free insulation offers to all or to their customers only. To find out what's on offer, check our guide to free insulation deals.
You may also wish to get quotes from other, independent traders – see Which? Local for recommendations from Which? members in your area. Alternatively, you could consider installing loft insulation yourself - but cavity wall insulation should be carried out by a professional.
How to apply for an energy-efficiency grant
Energy efficiency grants and offers vary throughout the year and by region. You can apply by contacting the main energy suppliers directly to see what offers they currently have available, or get in touch with your council, which may have partnered up with a particular energy company.
To get started, use the Energy Saving Trust’s grants and offers database to find contact details for local schemes, or call your local Energy Saving Trust advice centre on 0800 512 012.
- Find out about grants from the government
- Expert advice on how to buy loft insulation
- Find out who offers free insulation
