Help with home energy improvements

Our Council operated heating and insulation schemes will restart in January 2024.

We have various schemes that could support you with the cost of installing energy efficiency improvements and these are shown below.

These schemes change on a regular basis and for some you may even qualify for the work free of charge. Each scheme has different criteria and for many you don't need to be claiming a benefit to qualify. Plus, even if you have not been eligible before, this may change with different schemes so it’s always best to get in touch to find out what's available.

Below are details on our current main home energy schemes.

For more information or to apply, contact the Home Energy Team on 01924 305887 or email energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.

You can also apply for our schemes online here.

During busy periods there may be a delay in responding and if you are unable to reach us by phone it is recommended to email us and we will respond as soon as we can.

Also, check out the Team's Facebook page: @wakefieldhousingsupport.

Energy Performance Certificates

You can get a good idea of the energy performance of your home and what improvements you can make to save energy by looking at your most recent Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Remember to open the document to get the full information. The national EPC register is available here: Find an energy certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

If your home doesn't currently have an Energy Performance Certificate or it is out of date you can find an assessor to get a new one on the Governments' webpage here: Get a new energy certificate - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Connected for Warmth

Connected for Warmth is an award-winning programme managed by AgilityECO in partnership with Affordable Warmth Solutions and funded by National Grid. Dyson Energy Services are the nominated insulation installer for the Wakefield district.

The Connected for Warmth programme offers free cavity wall and loft insulation, as well as heating controls, throughout Britain. To be eligible you must meet the following criteria:

• be an owner-occupier or and private rented household (private tenants will need their landlords' permission for any work)
  
  
• your property must be in Council Tax band A, B, C or D
  
  
• properties must also be technically suitable for the insulation measures available
  • this is confirmed via an Energy Performance Certificate and survey where necessary

You can apply online here, contact insulation@connectedforwarmth.org.uk or call 0800 107 8576.

The Council accepts no responsibility, liability or duty of care. Nor does it warrant the suitability of Connected for Warmth provided by third parties referred to in this web page or elsewhere. The content of this web page is provided by way of information only and does not amount to an endorsement or warranty of the Connected for Warmth providers. 

Fuel Poverty Fund (currently unavailable)

The Fuel Poverty Fund assists residents in owner-occupied homes to replace boilers that are broken or not producing heat or hot water.  The scheme can also assist with supplying and installing central heating systems where this need is identified as part of the replacement.  All the work is arranged and covered at no cost via the Councils approved contractor.

Free boiler and central heating installations available if you:

• have a heating system that is not working or inadequate or difficult to operate due to illness/disability
• are an owner occupier of a property in the Wakefield Council Service area
• have a NET annual household income (including benefits but after deducting mortgage costs) of less than £25,000 and having no heating means you are at risk of causing or exacerbating a cold related illness or disability/condition.  (If no cold related vulnerability, net income must be under £21,000
• have savings under £16,000
• have no heating means you are at risk of causing or exacerbating a cold related illness or disability/condition

You must meet all of these criteria.

If you would like to apply, please go to www.wakefield.gov.uk/healthy-housing and complete an online application.  Alternatively, please call the Energy team on 01924 305887 or email energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.

Wakefield Energy Savers Scheme

This Council scheme assists residents in the private rented sector and owner-occupied homes to save energy, money, and improve home warmth. It offers free loft and cavity wall insulation for both homeowners and tenants in private rented properties. Additionally, it provides gas central heating improvements for private rented tenants. All the work is arranged and covered at no cost through the Council's approved contractor.

1. Cavity wall, loft insulation and draught proofing may be available if you meet all of the following criteria:

• be an owner-occupier or a private rented tenant
  
  
• you have a NET total annual household income (including benefits) after deducting rent payments, of less than £30,000
  
  
• your property has an EPC rating of band D, E, F or G
  
  
• you have savings under £16,000

Gas central heating improvements may be available if you meet all of the following criteria:

• be a private rented tenant
  
  
• you have a total NET annual household income after deducting rent payments, of less than £21,000
  
  
• you have savings under £16,000
  
  
• your property has an EPC rating of band E, F or G, or if your property is EPC D

You may also qualify if you also meet one of the following:

• your property is 'hard to heat' e.g. solid walls, system-built walls or off the gas network
  
  
• you are aged over 70
  
  
• you have a child aged under 16 living in the property
  
  
• you have a health condition made worse by the cold, such as
  • asthma
  • bronchitis
  • COPD
  • heart attack
  • stroke
  • pneumonia
  • alzheimer's
  • mental illness

There are additional eligibility criteria the landlord must meet for all measures.

There is limited Energy Savers funding available, so we urge people to apply straightaway to secure their grant.

For further information please contact the Home Energy Team at 01924 305887 or email energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.

Support with Gas Connections

Through Northern Gas Networks we can support eligible residents to connect to the gas network for a subsidised cost. In some cases free of charge.

We can often link this with one of our other schemes to greatly reduce the cost of installing gas central heating in your home.

For further information please contact the Home Energy Team at 01924 305887 or email energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.

Wakefield Energy Savers Loan (Owner Occupiers)

The Energy Savers Loan is an interest-free loan that you can use to help pay for insulation, heating, and microgeneration work in your home. It is funded by Wakefield Council and available through the Leeds Credit Union.

Loans are available up to a maximum of £7,000 over a repayment period of 5 years. You can select your own reputable installer to do the work, or we may be able to help you find someone if required.

To apply you must be an owner-occupier and meet ONE of the following criteria:

• be of state pension age
  
  
• be in receipt of an income related benefit (excluding Child Tax Credit)
  
  
• have a net household income of less than £16,105
  
  
• be in receipt of Universal Credit

If you do not meet any of the three criteria listed above, you may also qualify by undergoing a simple application assessment by our Loans Officer.

Apply now to secure your Wakefield Energy Savers Loan by calling the Home Energy Team on 01924 305887 or alternatively you can also apply by email at energyteam@wakefield.gov.uk.

More details on our Energy Savers Loan can be found here.

Wakefield Landlords Energy Savers Loan

The Energy Savers Loan, funded by Wakefield Council and provided by Leeds City Credit Union, offers an interest-free loan for privately rented homes. This loan can be used to cover expenses related to insulation, heating, and microgeneration projects.

Loans are available up to a maximum of £7,000, with a repayment period of 5 years. You have the freedom to choose a trusted installer for the work, but if needed, we can assist you in finding a suitable professional.

A private landlord can apply for a loan to undertake works where one of the following applies:

• the property has an EPC rating of band D, E, F or G
  
  
• where the current tenant is in fuel poverty because their income is below £21,000 and has either of the following:
  
  
  • their property is 'hard to treat' because it has solid walls, is not connected to mains gas or has no loft
    
    
  • where the tenant has a health condition that is made worse by cold
    
    
  • where the tenant is aged over 70, as they are defined as vulnerable elderly

A private landlord applying for a loan must also apply to join the Council's free Wakefield Responsible Landlord Scheme.

Please note, the Energy Savers Scheme restarts in January 2024.