Help when you need it most
If you or any one you know is worried about staying safe and warm, our Help to Heat scheme could help you switch to gas central heating by offering a cheaper or free gas connection.
You (or someone you know) could qualify for support if:
- You receive certain income-related benefits.
- Your household income, after your rent or mortgage costs, is considered low and the expected cost to adequately heat your home would be high. The household eligibility will vary depending on whether you live in England or Scotland.
- You are eligible under your local authority’s unique criteria, known as its ‘statement of intent’. This will include income, but may also include health conditions and/or your home’s energy efficiency rating. However, not every local authority offers this.
Eligibility is based on the circumstances of the resident or tenant of a property. This means that landlords and local authorities can benefit from the funding if their tenant applies and is eligible.
Homes under construction, conversions and empty buildings don’t qualify for the scheme due to them not being occupied.
How to apply for Help to Heat
To find out if you qualify, call our partner YES Energy Solutions on 0800 015 5174 and speak to a Help to Heat advisor, or email our team at HelptoHeat@sgn.co.uk. Please make sure you include your name and a contact telephone number in your email so one of our team can call you back.
Are you a local authority, housing association or large private landlord? Are you a support or advice organisation? If so, you may want to partner with us directly. Learn about becoming a SGN approved partner.
For free, impartial advice on energy saving in Scotland, visit the Home Energy Scotland website. To find funding and grants available in Scotland, visit the Energy Saving Trust website.
In southern England, you can get free, personalised impartial advice on what you can do to cut your energy bills by visiting the Energy Efficiency Calculator. To find out more about the best heating solution for you and your household, visit the Simple Energy Advice website or call 0800 444 202.
Case study: How we helped 82 year old Patricia
82 year old widow Patricia suffers from cardiovascular problems and is on a low income, receiving the Pension Guarantee Credit and the Warm Homes Discount. She was reliant on electric room heaters in her two bedroom bungalow which were inefficient and expensive to run and couldn't heat her home, leaving her cold in the winter months.
Patricia was advised by her local authority to apply for support through our Help to Heat scheme. Following an initial call to confirm her eligibility for a grant, we arranged for a gas connection which was completed within six weeks.
As soon as the connection was completed our partners arranged for a trusted local contractor to survey and install a new gas central heating system, as well as arranging for a gas meter to be fitted. The new heating system was fitted within five weeks of the connection being completed.
The new central heating system cost £3,315, which was installed completely free of charge using a combination of funding from ECO, Warmer Homes and the SGN Central Heating Grant Scheme. This new system should save Patricia around £926 per year and keep her whole home much warmer.
Patricia said: “The gas connection process was really easy and was completed quickly and smoothly. The central heating installers were nice and my home is now lovely and warm – I couldn't be happier."