Hundreds of thousands on benefits can get FREE home insulation through little-known scheme – and cut bills by £700
THOUSANDS of households on benefits can save £700 on their yearly energy bills - and you might not have to spend a penny to get it.
Low-income and vulnerable families can get help improving the energy-efficiency of their homes through a Government scheme.
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is designed to tackle fuel poverty and reduce carbon emissions in the UK.
Fuel poverty relates to households who need to spend a high proportion of their income to keep their property at a "reasonable temperature".
Under the ECO scheme, suppliers have a legal obligation to implement energy-saving measures in your home.
Help is offered on a case-by-case basis, but it can mean having a new boiler fitted, or loft or cavity wall insulation put in, often for free.
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The cost of having a boiler fitted is around £2,000 - £4,000, while loft insulation costs around £670 to install and cavity wall insulation in a mid-terrace house will set you back £1,800, according to Checkatrade.
Ben Gallizzi, energy expert at price comparison website Uswitch, said: "The aim (of ECO) is to improve the home’s energy performance and make it cheaper to heat.
“Eligible customers can receive support to heat and insulate their homes, helping to cut their energy bills."
He added: "Those who apply and are eligible can receive help installing energy efficiency measures such as insulation, or get support to upgrade or repair their heating system.
"Measures can also include the installation of heat pumps and smart thermostats."
The ECO first launched in January 2013 and has been extended four times.
If you're not happy with the work that's been done in your home under the ECO scheme, you can contact the installer or the company that commissioned out the work.
If they don't solve the problem, you should contact your local Citizen's Advice branch.
What other help is there?
You can get help insulating your home through the Government's Great British Insulation Scheme.
Meanwhile, you might be able to get a grant to help towards the cost of installing a heat pump through the Boiler Upgrade Scheme.
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How to cut your energy bills
Here's a couple of ways to get money off your energy bills:
The Warm Home Discount is applied every winter between October and the following March.
The £150 is for those on the lowest incomes and designed to cover the additional costs of heating over the colder months.
You don't have to apply if you live in England or Wales and qualify, but some households in Scotland do.
You'll also have to be in receipt of a number of benefits including Universal Credit, Income Support and Pension Credit.
Check if you're eligible for the Household Support Fund too.
It's available to households in England and usually those on a low income or benefits qualify.
You'll need to apply through your council so you should contact them to see if you're eligible for any help.
The £450million fund offers grants to homeowners in England and Wales to buy the devices which can save you money on your bills.
Keith Shatwell told The Sun he received a £5,000 grant and is now saving around £140 a month on his energy bills.
Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money@the-sun.co.uk.
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