Homeowners in Edinburgh and Lothians urged to check eligibility for energy-saving home improvements
With energy bills remaining high and winter approaching, thousands of families in Edinburgh and the Lothians could be missing out on free home energy improvements worth £10,000 or more to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat.
The Scottish Government is calling on locals to get in touch with Home Energy Scotland, as over 45,000 households across Scotland have already benefitted from home energy improvements such as help to install heating systems and insulation - including over 10,000 households in South East Scotland alone.
Funded by The Scottish Government, energy-saving home improvements from Home Energy Scotland through the Warmer Homes Scotland programme include wall and loft insulation, draught-proofing and changes to central heating, which can help lower energy bills and at the same time, make homes warmer and cosier.
Màiri McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Housing said: “As the colder weather returns, we want to ensure homeowners in Scotland know about the support available to keep their homes warm this winter. Home Energy Scotland offers advice, support and funding to help people make energy-saving improvements that reduce energy costs. As a Scottish Government-funded service, people can have full confidence they are receiving genuine support they can trust – providing vital protection against scams."
The Warmer Homes Scheme directly supports the Scottish Government's commitment to decarbonise Scotland's buildings in a way that does not penalise individuals but helps tackle rising energy bills, fuel poverty, and the climate emergency – ensuring the benefits reach every household, starting with those who need help most.
Iain Bruce, a Prestonpans resident, is one of many East Lothian locals who have transformed their homes with help from Home Energy Scotland. When Iain moved into his home last year, he noticed his neighbours had solar panels and decided to explore his own options. After contacting the council, he was directed to Home Energy Scotland to find out what funding and schemes were available.
Following an assessment under the Warmer Homes Scotland programme, Iain learned that a heat pump would be the most effective solution for his property. The installation process was quick and straightforward, taking just a couple of days.
Iain Bruce, from Prestonpans in EastLothian said “We were really surprised about how much was available, and how good the scheme was - it was perfect for us. The whole process was completely hassle free with the heat pump installed after a couple of days.”
For Iain, the main motivation was improving his home’s energy efficiency and reducing his environmental impact. He feels that it’s deeply rewarding to take action on this topic, and to stand as part of the fight against it.
Iain added: “With the addition of the heat pump I’m looking forward to lower bills but most importantly doing my bit to protect the planet. It’s fantastic that support like this exists, and I think more people should take advantage of it.”
Getting in touch with Home Energy Scotland can make a lasting difference to your home’s energy performance. While improvements take time, the benefits - lower bills, greater comfort, and a reduced carbon footprint - make it a worthwhile investment.
Mark Macleod, Home Energy Scotland Programme Manager said: “More than 45,000 households across the country have already benefitted from energy efficient improvements - like a new heating system or insulation - by getting in touch with Home Energy Scotland. But, with the cost of living and energy prices remaining high, people still find that paying their bills can be a struggle. This is where we can help.
“Recent changes made to the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme means that more people could now be eligible for free support worth £10,000 or more to make their homes warmer and cheaper to heat.”
Through the Warmer Homes Scotland programme each householder will be taken through the whole journey from assessing their home, through to installing the improvements and carrying out final quality checks. Using stringent quality standards ensures that work is delivered to the right standard for each householder and their home.
Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Chair of Trading Standards Scotland’s Governance Board highlights the importance of ensuring traders are vetted by Trading Standards: “Misleading energy marketing is a priority area for Trading Standards Scotland, and we work throughout the year to tackle the problem of rogue traders who are exploiting the existence of energy efficiency grants to make misleading marketing claims in relation to products.
“During this time of year especially, it is important that households looking for support contact trusted, impartial organisations such as Home Energy Scotland who provide reliable advice and guidance tailored to each property. Contacting them directly ensures people receive accurate information about available grants, funding programmes and the most effective energy efficiency improvements for their home."
“We would like to remind consumers to be wary of cold callers or social media adverts for energy saving products. Never accept information offered from these sources without doing independent research, particularly if they tell you that there are grants or funding programmes available.”
Call Home Energy Scotland on 0808 808 2282 or visit homeenergyscotland.org/warmer-homes-scotland to find out more about the programme and how you can apply.