Latest news with #fuelpoverty
BBC News
5 days ago
- Climate
- BBC News
Energy grants for low-income households in Hull
Low-income households in Hull can apply for funding to make their homes warmer and cheaper to City Council said it had secured £3.4m from the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) to help reduce fuel poverty and enable eligible residents to make energy-saving home money will be allocated over a three-year period, officials scheme covers things like wall, loft and underfloor insulation, air-source heat pumps and solar panels. Councillor Paul Drake-Davis, portfolio holder for housing, said: "Even though we're currently experiencing warm, summer weather, it's really not that long until things turn colder, so we want to let residents know that there is help available ahead of the autumn and winter."Because there is limited funding available, we need to make sure it's used wisely to help us support those who need it most," he be eligible certain criteria must be met and people can find out more and apply via the government website or by contacting the council's warm homes team. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- General
- Associated Press
Boiler Grants for Low-Income Households: What to Know
07/15/2025, London,England // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Many low-income households in the UK struggle to heat their homes, especially during the colder months. Energy consumption can make up the majority of the budget for many residences, and an outdated, inefficient boiler only worsens the situation. If your boiler is outdated or faulty, you can expect even higher energy costs and less-than-comfortable conditions. To help resolve this situation, the British government has introduced the ECO4 scheme. It is for the sole purpose of offering zero-cost, replacement boilers for low-income individuals through the provision of free boiler grants. But how does the free boiler grant work? Who is eligible for the grant? What documents will you need? If you are a low-income household searching for support for the replacement of your boiler, this guide will detail all you need to know. Free Boiler Grants for Low-Income Individuals A free boiler replacement under the scheme known as the ECO4. It is one form of support provided for the replacement of inefficient, outdated boilers by energy-efficient, newer boilers for those from low-income backgrounds. This is one initiative the United Kingdom has undertaken towards the eradication of fuel poverty and increased energy efficiency country-wide. The scheme is funded by the bigger energy suppliers under the terms set by the government. The replacement boiler is funded by grants, so you will not need to pay for the replacement one yourself. By replacing the old boiler with one high efficiency, houses can save hundreds of pounds on their energy bills each year. This also reduces the United Kingdom's carbon footprint by eliminating energy waste where possible. Who Can Apply for a Boiler Grant? Not everyone is qualified for the free boiler grant. This is for individuals from low-income groups and those under the benefits provided by the government. To qualify, the following criteria need to be met: Qualifying Benefits for the Boiler Grant If you, or the one you live with, receive one of the benefits from the Government, you may be eligible for the replacement of your boiler for free: If you don't qualify for benefits but your household income is low, you could still qualify. In some circumstances, the total household income and the energy efficiency level of the property are taken into account when assessing your eligibility. Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Boiler Grant Applying for the grant is not complex, but you will require the appropriate documents and verification. To apply for the grant under the initiative by the ECO4, follow the steps provided here. Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility Before applying, you will need to determine whether you will be eligible for the support. Most energy suppliers and grant providers also make available online checkers where you can provide some general data about your house, your income level, and your existing boiler. Step 2: Home Survey If you pass the initial tests, one of the energy assessors will visit you for the inspection. They will: The home visit is free. And it ensures your property is suitable for replacement under the scheme. Step 3: Supply the Required Documents Once your house survey is finalised, you will require the following documents to support your application: If you rent your property from the landlord, you will also require the landlord's approval for the replacement of the boiler. Step 4: Installation Of New Boiler Once your request has been accepted, one of the installers will visit your property and replace your existing boiler with a new one. Installation is generally completed in just one day, and you can start saving right away from lower energy costs. Learn more about the Free Boiler Scheme and how you could qualify. Benefits of Having a New Boiler for Low-Income Families Replacing an old boiler with a modern, energy-efficient model offers many long-term benefits. 1. Lower Energy Consumption Modern boilers can also save you large amounts of money by being very energy efficient. Thus using less energy for the same amount of heat. This can save you around £300 to £500 yearly. 2. Improved Heating Efficiency Old boilers also fail to heat the house evenly. Thus causing cold spots and energy loss. New boilers make your house warm and cosy throughout the year. 3. Reduced Carbon Footprint Energy-efficient boilers produce less greenhouse gas. Thus playing their part in the Net Zero goal by the UK. If all the houses switch to efficient boilers, energy wastage will be reduced overall. 4. Fewer Repairs and Maintenance Costs Older boilers require frequent servicing. And this can prove very expensive over the lifespan. A new one is stronger and is under warranty, reducing the need for high-cost maintenance. 5. Increased Property Value A home fitted with an energy-efficient boiler is also easier to sell when the property is eventually required. Apply Today and Start Saving! Boiler grants provide low-income families the valuable option of upgrading from outdated, inefficient boilers to energy-efficient models. The ECO4 scheme guarantees the benefits of free replacement boilers for those in need. Thus, lessening the cost of their heat and the level of their home comfort. If you qualify, you can apply for the grant immediately. ECO Energy Services makes the process simple. And when you're accepted, you can save on your bills, heat your house, and stress less about your boiler. Original Source of the original story >> Boiler Grants for Low-Income Households: What to Know
The Independent
19-06-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Why millions more households will receive the £150 Warm Home Discount
The Warm Home Discount scheme has been expanded to provide £150 directly off energy bills for around six million people, including 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million households in fuel poverty. To be eligible, the bill payer must either receive the guarantee credit element of pension credit or be on a low income. An additional two million people will now receive the automatic discount, after the previous requirement for low-income households to have 'high energy costs' to qualify for the payment was removed. The £150 discount is applied automatically to eligible customers' energy bills between October and March. This positive development for households comes as energy regulator Ofgem is set to drop its energy price cap by 7 per cent for July to September. Rule change to bring £150 winter energy discount to millions more – here's who's eligible
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warm home discount to be extended to 2.7 million more households
Energy bill discounts of £150 will be extended to another 2.7 million households to help with fuel costs next winter. This brings the number of households eligible for the warm home discount up to just over 6 million, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed after a consultation. The changes remove some restrictions on eligibility and mean every bill payer on means-tested benefits will qualify. Some 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million homes in fuel poverty are set to benefit from the payment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'I know families are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill. 'Providing security and peace of mind for working people is deeply personal to me as Prime Minister and foundational for the Plan for Change. 'I have no doubt that, like rolling out free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare support, extending this £150 energy bills support to millions more families will make a real difference.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change. The Conservatives criticised the move, saying energy prices are expected to keep climbing overall. Andrew Bowie, the acting shadow energy secretary, said: 'Labour promised to cut everyone's energy bills by £300 but they have increased by £280 and are forecast to keep going up. 'Energy bills need to come down but this announcement will cut bills for just a quarter of households whilst increasing them for everyone else. 'Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that net zero by 2050 is impossible without bankrupting Britain and making hard-working families worse off.' Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Warm home discount to be extended to 2.7 million more households
Energy bill discounts of £150 will be extended to another 2.7 million households to help with fuel costs next winter. This brings the number of households eligible for the warm home discount up to just over 6 million, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has confirmed after a consultation. The changes remove some restrictions on eligibility and mean every bill payer on means-tested benefits will qualify. Some 900,000 families with children and 1.8 million homes in fuel poverty are set to benefit from the payment. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: 'I know families are still struggling with the cost of living, and I know the fear that comes with not being able to afford your next bill. 'Providing security and peace of mind for working people is deeply personal to me as Prime Minister and foundational for the Plan for Change. 'I have no doubt that, like rolling out free school meals, breakfast clubs and childcare support, extending this £150 energy bills support to millions more families will make a real difference.' Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: 'Millions of families will get vital support with the cost of living this coming winter, demonstrating this government's commitment to put money in people's pockets through our Plan for Change. The Conservatives criticised the move, saying energy prices are expected to keep climbing overall. Andrew Bowie, the acting shadow energy secretary, said: 'Labour promised to cut everyone's energy bills by £300 but they have increased by £280 and are forecast to keep going up. 'Energy bills need to come down but this announcement will cut bills for just a quarter of households whilst increasing them for everyone else. 'Kemi Badenoch and I have been clear that net zero by 2050 is impossible without bankrupting Britain and making hard-working families worse off.'
