FAQ
The Answers You Need
WHO PAYS FOR THE GRANT?
The grants are paid for by energy suppliers, who are required to fund works, to help people lower their energy bills - coupled with funding made available through charities, government schemes and local authorities.
ARE THE WORKS FREE?
Subject to meeting the qualifying criteria, certain measures may be completely free of charge, but we can confirm this once we know a bit more about your home and have completed a free home survey. Once we have all of the information, you are free to decide if you wish to go ahead with the works.
DO I NEED TO BE IN RECEIPT OF BENEFITS?
Not always. There are varying criteria depending on the type of measure that would be installed. Call or Apply Now to find out if you are eligible, you might be surprised!
I HAVE NO HEATING AT ALL, DO YOU INSTALL FREE CENTRAL HEATING?
Yes, subject to survey and eligibility we may be able to provide a first time central heating system free of charge, but grants are limited so Apply Now.
I AM A TENANT/LANDLORD, CAN I APPLY?
Yes! Grants are also available for private or agricultural tenants, tied properties etc. and landlords can also apply subject to the tenant meeting the eligibility criteria. Sorry, social housing properties are not eligible - please contact our social housing provider.
WHAT PAPERWORK WILL I NEED TO PROVIDE?
If you receive benefits, we may ask to see evidence of this, if you do not receive benefits, we will ask what your annual income is after housing and energy costs. As part of the grant scheme we may also ask for further information such as whether anyone living in your home suffers from an illness and ask to see a copy of a council tax or utility bill.
WHAT IF MY BUILDING IS LISTED?
…This should not make too much difference!
It is nevertheless a separate process which HEAT Project will assist you with. In the case of the HEAT Project, some of the measures, like the installation of loft insulation and upgrading* of an existing boiler are unlikely to require any formal consent. Our surveyors will make this clear.
Nevertheless an application for Listed Building Consent will be required for the installation of new gas central heating systems. Cavity wall insulation is not really applicable to listed buildings as they are generally constructed with solid walls. The installation of insulation to the inside or outside face of an external wall would also require listed building consent but this is unlikely to be considered favourably as this would alter the special architectural and/or historic merit of the building to an unacceptable degree.
It is important that owners’ permission is granted before any works commence as any liability for “unauthorised” work rests with the owner. It is worth remembering that it is a criminal offence to carry out “unauthorised work” (i.e. without listed building consent) to a listed building. (This includes internal alterations.)
* Where existing openings through the external wall, can be re-used.
WHO ARE HEAT PROJECT?
The HEAT Project have been giving grants to help people to save money and stay warm since 1997. HEAT Project is managed by local heating and energy saving expert Happy Energy Solutions Ltd.
HOW LONG DOES A HOME ENERGY ASSESSMENT TAKE?
In order to claim the grant, we need to undertake a free assessment of your home which takes around 2-3 hours to complete. As part of this, we will need access into all rooms and the loft to take photos of all / any existing heating equipment and insulation levels. We may also ask to see any required paperwork to take copies.
HOW IS MY DATA USED?
We will need to share your data with other organisations to enable us to offer you this grant. This will include SGN, Warm Homes Fund, an energy supplier, Ofgem, the Government, companies involved in installing or checking the works and it may also include the Department of Work and Pensions to confirm if you or someone living in your home is on eligible benefits. By applying for the grant you agree that we may share your data for these purposes.