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Energy >
Creating an energy saving home >
Energy grants >
Warm Front and other government grants

Energy grants Warm Front and other government grants

Some households can get a new boiler under schemes like Warm Front

Some privately-owned or rented properties can get more than subsidised or free insulation thanks to enhanced energy grant schemes run by the government.

Warm Front and UK grant schemes

Update January 2013: The Warm Front scheme in England ended on 19 January 2013.

Energy efficiency grant schemes have different names in different parts of the UK – the best known, Warm Front, operates in England, but equivalent Warm Front schemes include Warm Homes in Northern Ireland, NEST in Wales and the Energy Assistance Package in Scotland.

Energy grants offered under Warm Front and similar schemes offer help with a wide range of energy efficiency modifications, including loft insulation and cavity wall insulation, but also a new boiler and heating controls - or even a completely new central heating system. An assessor will visit your home to determine what is needed.

How to apply for a Warm Front grant

Criteria for Warm Front or similar grants differ between schemes.

For more information on these schemes, contact the scheme operator in your part of the UK:

Energy Assistance Package (Scotland): 0800 512 012
NEST (Wales): 0808 808 2244
Warm Homes (Northern Ireland): 0800 988 0559

Other benefits and schemes

Most people aged 60 or over can get help with energy bills in winter

Fuel Direct

If you get Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and are struggling to keep up with fuel or water bills, you can ask your benefits office to pay the supplier directly out of your benefits. Fuel Direct payments pay for your current fuel use and an agreed amount of your unpaid bill each week.

Get in touch with your local benefit office or Jobcentre Plus to find out more.

Winter Fuel Payment

Most people aged 60 or over can get a Winter Fuel Payment to help them pay for gas or electric heating in winter. This annual tax-free lump sum is normally paid from November and most payments are made by Christmas. Households with someone over 60 get £200 and over-80s households get £300.

Cold Weather Payment

Cold Weather Payments are made to households in receipt of qualifying benefits during periods of very cold weather to help people pay for extra heating costs. To get a Cold Weather Payment, the average temperature where you live must be recorded as, or forecast to be, 0°C or below for seven days in a row. Those eligible will get £25 for each seven day period between 1 November and 31 March.

Extra benefits

Depending on your personal and financial situation, you could be eligible for benefits to help you keep up with your bills and household expenses. Check if you qualify for financial help through the benefits system using the DirectGov website.

Warm Home Discount

The Warm Front Discount is an annual credit that suppliers place on the account of an eligible consumer. It's a £130 payment to help those struggling to pay their energy bills.

Green Deal and ECO

Subsidised energy efficient improvements are available for qualifying households through the new Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and loans are available through the Green Deal. Find out more in our guide to the Green Deal and ECO.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme

The boiler scrappage scheme in England, Wales, and Scotland was a limited sum of money allocated to stimulate the boiler industry and raise awareness of energy efficiency by providing a money-off voucher to households wanting to upgrade their old G rated boilers for a new A rated boiler. As all the money has now been allocated, the scheme is no longer available.

However some companies still use boiler scrappage to offer money-off if you get a new boiler from them. This is not the Government scheme and we recommend you get more than one quote as sometimes, even with the money off offer, these boilers might not be the cheapest.

If you're considering a new boiler, our boiler review shows you our boiler Best Buys.