Energy Efficiency

For information on the Warm Front Grant Scheme, that reopened for new enquiries on 14 April 2011. 

Traditonally fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas have been used to generate energy. This energy is used to provide power, to heat our homes and workplaces and for transport. However, we now know that using fossil fuels to generate energy releases carbon dioxide and other gases into the atmosphere. This contributes to climate change.

One way of helping to address climate change is to cut down on the amount of energy we use. Being more energy efficient will also reduce your household bills!  There are lots of simple, low cost measures that can be taken within the home to cut down on energy use. Switching off lights, not leaving devices on standby and using energy efficient lightbulbs can all make a difference.

Our aim is to improve energy efficiency within all homes in the borough to help protect the environment from the harmful emissions produced during the manufacture of domestic fuels. To do this we offer advice and guidance on ways for you to save money at home by using energy more efficiently thereby reducing your household bills.

Home Insulation and Heating Installations.

Grants for insulating your home.

Assistance towards the cost of insulation is available to most homeowners and tenants who rent property in the private sector. The type and amount of financial help available will depend on your household circumstances. There are a number of funding schemes available, the fuel suppliers fund many of the grants, some schemes are funded by government grants, your local installer will be able to inform you of the assistance available for you.

• Grants may also be available from your gas or electricity supplier, you should call your supplier's energy efficiency helpline for further information or click on the Energy Suppliers link below. Many installer's and suppliers of energy efficiency measures offer free insulation measures for those age 70 years and older.
• Warm Front Grant. If you, or a member of your household is in receipt of a means tested benefit or a disability benefit you may be entitled to a grant for the full cost of cavity wall insulation and or loft insulation, where there is no existing insulation. The scheme also includes heating improvements. To apply, click on the warm front team link below or call 0800 3166011. For a benefit entitlement check - to see if you qualify for a warm front grant call 0800 0729006. 
• If you have a long-term or serious illness you may be eligible for a grant through the Health Through Warmth (HTW) scheme. HTW is a programme to help tackle the issues of fuel poverty, associated cold-related illness and excess winter deaths. The scheme provides energy efficiency measures and central heating systems when they are most needed. For more details click on the Health Through Warmth link below.
• The Energy Saving Trust offers advice, information and grants to encourage the more efficient use of energy in your home.
• If you are a landlord you may qualify for help under a new scheme called "energy efficiency investors in tenants". This scheme aims to improve the energy efficiency of privately rented properties in the West Midlands. 100% grants are available to student tenants and tenants on benefits, and 30% grants for all other tenants. For further details call 0800 512012.
• If you rent your home from a Housing Association you should contact them in the first instance.
• An Energy Efficiency Grant from the Council may be available where grants from other sources will not cover the full cost of the necessary works, or where a delay would be seriously detrimental to the health of the occupiers. The works must be for the benefit of an older person who occupies the property as their only or main residence. Please contact Environmental Health Admin on 01785 619402 for further information.

Health Through Warmth

The Health Through Warmth (HTW) scheme was set up by npower in 2000 in partnership with the NHS and National Energy Action (NEA). HTW operates through locally based partnerships which seek to help vulnerable people whose health is adversely affected by cold, damp living conditions. This is achieved by facilitating the installation of appropriate energy efficiency and heating measures, along with the provision of related advice and information.

Clients are referred by health and other key community workers who have attended locally based awareness sessions offered by HTW. Vulnerable people are often the least likely to seek assistance but by linking up with existing community workers they can be more easily identified enabling practical help and advice to be provided.

People with cardiovascular and respiratory disease are most likely to be adversely affected by cold and damp living conditions.

For more information visit the website at www.healththroughwarmth.com.

Grants for the installation or repair of heating systems

You may be entitled to help with repairing or provision of a heating system through the government 'Warm Front' grant scheme. If you are in receipt of a disability benefit, or are in receipt of a means tested benefit and have children under 16 or someone over 60 in your household you may also be entitled to assistance.

If you do not qualify for the government grant scheme and you are on certain means tested benefits you may qualify for a minor repair grant from the Council.

For information on energy efficiency grants please contact the Energy Efficiency Advice Centre on 0800 512012.

Local Installers

Stafford Borough Council recommend that you obtain quotations from more than one installer. The amount and availability of funding is subject to change.

Energy Efficiency Grants from Utility Companies

From time to time some utility companies offer free or discounted insulation measures, energy saving lightbulbs and energy surveys, please click here to view a selection of offers from certain utility companies.