Grants available for free boilers

There's a number of ways to improve your home to make it more comfortable, healthier and cheaper to live in. These could involve insulation to make your home energy efficient, upgrading the heating system, or even installing renewable energy measures.

Free boilers

Old, inefficient boilers are expensive to run. Replacing them with a new one can help save between 20% and 30% on your energy bills.

You can apply today to see if you qualify for a free boiler. Your boiler needs to be eight years old or more and you must own your property. You must also have a low disposable income after housing and energy costs. If we replace your boiler we may also be able to help with outstanding energy debt.

This funding is available for a limited period of time. It'll be given to those who apply first.

You can apply online now using the form. You can also call our Warm Homes team on 01226 773366. You'll be able to ask any questions or get help to complete the form.

Free gas central heating

We're currently offering free gas central heating systems to homeowners, and grants towards the cost of gas central heating to private landlords, whose homes currently lack gas central heating. This offer is subject to you being eligible and a satisfactory property survey.

If the following applies to you then you could be eligible for a grant towards gas central heating: 

• you're a homeowner on a low income, or a private landlord whose tenant is on a low income
• you don't have a gas central heating system in your property 
• you have gas fires, electric storage heaters or coal fires as your main heating

You can apply online now using the form or call our Warm Homes team on 01226 773366. You'll be able to ask any questions or get help to complete the form. 

Funding for heating, insulation or solar panels through the ECO4 scheme

The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) scheme is a government energy efficiency project. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty by improving the energy efficiency of homes. This is achieved by installing energy saving measures such as heating, insulation and solar panels.

Eligibility for the ECO4 scheme

To benefit from ECO4 your property will have to be in need of energy efficiency upgrades. The specific measures that would benefit your home would be determined by a retrofit assessment by one of the registered installers. You must also either own your own home or have permission from your landlord.

You could be eligible for ECO4 if you receive at least one of the following benefits:

• Child Benefit
• Pension Guarantee Credit
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA)
• Income Support
• Universal Credit
• Housing benefit
• Pension Credit Savings Credit

Eligibility for ECO4 doesn’t necessarily mean that an energy supplier or installer will decide to install energy efficiency measures in your home. It is up to energy suppliers to decide which energy efficiency measures they want to fund, the level of funding, and the retrofit coordinator or installers they choose to work with.

The level of funding will depend on the several factors including the type of measures. You may also be asked to contribute to the cost of the installation.

ECO4 is not a grant scheme so different companies or installers may provide different levels or types of support towards the installation of energy efficiency or heating measures so it pays to shop around. 

The ECO4 scheme is administered by OFGEM and delivered by private companies (registered installers). The funding for the improvements is awarded by energy suppliers. 

All contracts for the works are between the resident and the company providing the installation. For more information visit the OFGEM website or contact one of the registered installers on the list below.

Registered installers

To help safeguard residents we've carried out a vetting process to ensure the installers listed below are compliant to deliver works under the ECO4 Flex scheme in Barnsley. The installers listed are not contacted by us and neither do they work on our behalf. We can't endorse or suggest a particular installer.

If your organisation wants to be included on our registered installers list, please email warmhomes@barnsley.gov.uk with the title 'ECO4 Provider' and we'll contact you.

ECO4 Flex

We are also able to refer residents to obligated energy suppliers so that they can be offered support under the ECO4 Flex. Our Statement of Intent for the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) sets out the additional criteria that we'll adopt to determine whether a resident is eligible to receive works under the ECO4 Flex route. Our role is to assess the eligibility of a household. We're not involved or responsible for issuing the funding, appointing contractors or installing the works.

Contact us online or call our Warm Homes team on 01226 773366 if you think you're eligible for ECO4 Flex.

Energy efficiency advice for tenants

If you live in a council property you can find out more about energy efficiency on the Berneslai Homes website.

If you're a housing association tenant, contact your landlord directly for more details. 

If you own or privately rent your home please contact us for advice using the contact form or phone number. We can help you with:

• access to insulation and boiler grants
• signposting to companies and charities who can provide advice on saving energy and reducing fuel bills.
• keeping warm in winter

If you're living in private rented home you can read more about what rights you have as a tenant. Landlords can also find out more about energy efficiency.

Contact your supplier for support

The price of gas and electricity has increased greatly but there is support available to help you.

You can contact your supplier to discuss ways they can help you to help pay what you owe. This should be made affordable to you based on your budget. Your energy supplier may also have support funds available that you can access.

British Gas - British Gas Energy Trust

• They offer a number of schemes to help people who are in arrears. You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply.

Octopus Energy - Octo Assist Fund

• To apply you'd need to be an Octopus Energy customer and are currently struggling with your bills.

OVO - OVO Energy Fund

• You have to either be an existing OVO customer or previous customer. This is designed for people in debt of over £150 and unable to pay their bills

Scottish Power - Scottish Power Hardship Fund

• If you're an existing customer of Scottish Power and having difficulties paying your bills you may be able to get additional support.

National Energy Action - NEA – 0800 3047159 Monday to Friday 10am to 12pm. 

• A charity who specialise in assisting people with help with energy debt.  Giving benefits advice and making the most of your income. Support with gas and electricity accounts including fuel debt and switching suppliers and helping with energy efficiency.  They can also help you apply for trust fund money, Water rates, Warm Home Discount and Priority Services Register details.

Apply for energy bill discounts and benefits

You may be eligible for three heating related benefits:

• £140 discount on your energy bills with the Warm Home Discount Scheme.
  This should be paid direct to you if you receive the Guarantee Credit element of Pension Credit. Energy suppliers may also offer this discount to other people who receive certain benefits, are on a low income, or are elderly. To find out if you qualify you contact your energy supplier directly.
  
  
• £100 - £300 towards your energy bills with the Winter Fuel Payment.
  
  
• Extra help if temperatures fall below a certain level with the Cold Weather Payment.

Pay less for the energy you use

If your energy bill is higher than usual, take a look at these common problems with energy bills on the Citizens Advice website. They also have a tool to help understand the different parts of your energy bill.

There are two kinds of gas and electricity meters. The type you have has a big impact on how much you pay for energy. They are:

• pre-payment meter - you have to pay for energy before you use it, usually through a card or key at a shop
• credit meter - you pay for energy after you've used it, usually via direct debit

Paying for your energy with prepayment meters often means you're paying a lot more for your energy.

Contact your energy supplier for more details on how to change your meter. If your current supplier charges a fee to change, consider contacting another supplier to see if they could offer you a free credit meter. 

Find out more about your rights regarding pre-payment meters.

Smart meters

All energy companies offer their customers smart meters which may help you better understand how your home uses energy and help you save money. You don't have to accept smart meters if you don't want one.

You can find out more about smart meters on the Smart Energy GB website.

Get help with energy debt

We can offer you help with energy debt. Firstly find out about the common problems with energy bills and if you're responsible for the bill.

If you're responsible for the arrears but can't pay them up front, try to make contact with your energy company as soon as possible. Before you call, write down your incoming and outgoings and work out how much you could afford to pay back as a repayment plan. When speaking with your energy company make sure you tell them if you're on a low income or benefits. Also if there's anyone in your home who is elderly, disabled or under five. 

Trusts and funds that can help clear energy debt

There are several energy trusts and funds which can help clear debt on fuel bills.

In some cases these trusts and funds can also provide payments to help with the cost of buying essential, energy efficient household items. We can help you with applying for these; contact us using our online form.

Register for priority service from your energy supplier

You might be able to get extra support from your energy supplier by signing up to the priority services register if you:

• are disabled or seriously ill
• are recovering from an injury
• have mental health problems
• don't speak or read English well
• have children under 5, or are pregnant
• have reached your state pension age
• are in a vulnerable situation

Benefits of priority service can include free energy saving advice.  A password protection scheme to protect you from cold-callers.  Your meter moved free of charge if it's hard for you to use or read.  Bills sent to a relative, carer or friend to help you check them. You might also get advance notice if your supply is going to be interrupted, priority re-connection if your supply is interrupted.  You may also get annual gas safety checks.  Find out more on the Ofgem priority services register website.

To find out if you're eligible to join the priority service register, speak to your energy supplier or contact us.

Energy suppliers priority service

• British Gas
• EDF
• E.ON Next
• Northern Powergrid

Yorkshire Water support 

There are more ways to help with being more efficient with your household water usage. Yorkshire Water's save water can help provide support for your home and your garden. 

Yorkshire Water have a free water saving pack that will help, with products that will help to reduce water waste. This includes 4 minute shower timer, toilet leaking detection strips to help bring water costs down. 

Other financial support

If you need extra financial support, you can contact:

• Money Advice Service - 0800 1387777 
• National Debtline - 0808 8084000
• Citizens Advice - 0808 2231133
• Step Change - 0800 1381111