Improving the energy efficiency of your home is one of the simplest ways to save energy and reduce bills. The good news is that there are often grants and discounts available which make it an even smarter choice.
Does Energy Efficiency Make A Difference?
The simple answer is yes! If you are not heating your home efficiently or your home is losing a lot of heat it’s going to cost you.
A typical home could save up to £250-£300 a year by being more energy efficient, and many of the measures are simple to install. You can often get help with the cost and they will continue to keep saving you money year after year.
The first step is to understand where your home may be losing heat. This will help you decide on the measures which will have the most impact first. And the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP) can help with the cost of energy efficiency measures for your home
What help is available with the cost of Energy Efficiency measures?
The Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme (NISEP for short) provides help to install energy saving measures in your home. This can mean energy-efficient boilers, heating controls, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.
The support available can be significant. For example, it can include a ‘fully funded’ upgrade of your boiler, wall and loft insulation, and heating controls all as one package of support.
NISEP funding comes from a levy paid by all electricity customers. The scheme is delivered by energy companies and managed by the Energy Saving Trust on behalf of the Utility Regulator. There is a set pot of money each year so it’s important to check the schemes are still available (and apply early!).
What Energy Efficiency measures are available?
NISPE is designed to provide support to people who may not be able to avail of other schemes such ‘Affordable Warmth’. Eighty per cent of funding is targeted at low-income households and those at risk of fuel poverty
There are 19 domestic schemes that help householders install new energy efficient heating systems, cavity wall insulation and loft insulation. Many cover the full cost of the energy efficiency measure being installed meaning the work carried out may often be free.
A full list of the measures available can be viewed here: NISEP Schemes 2021-2022, but as an example some measures include:
- Fully funded natural gas or oil central heating system
- Fully funded cavity wall insulation and/or loft insulation
- LED light bulbs
- Hot Water Tank Jacket
- Radiator Panels
- Remote Smart Heating Controls
Each scheme has its own eligibility criteria and a range of measures are usually available to help make your home energy efficient.
The current programme will run until March 2022 (if the funding is not used up before), so visit the NISEP page to see all current schemes, who is eligible and how to apply. If you are interested in applying contact the energy company administering the scheme directly. All the contact details are provided.
And remember: getting energy efficiency measures installed now will mean both a cosier home and lower bills for the winter
Further Information and Advice
For further advice on energy efficiency visit the NIDirect website. They provide information on energy efficiency and any grants you may be entitled to. Also remember to check with your energy supplier. Increasingly suppliers are offering grants and assistance to help improve the energy efficiency of your home or upgrade your heating system.
