Heating, insulation and energy efficiency funding assistance for Northern Ireland

The Utility Regulator has just released details of the latest energy efficiency grants available as part of the Northern Ireland Sustainable Energy Programme.

These schemes are advertised at the beginning of each financial year.  As funding is limited, anyone interested in applying for this financial assistance should start the process as quickly as possible.

Grant funding for homeowners and tenants

These schemes are a terrific way for homeowners and tenants who don’t meet the strict eligibility criteria for the Warm Homes scheme to improve the energy efficiency of their homes. 

There is a mixture of grant assistance and fully funded measures available which can be used to replace heating systems; install and top up insulation and provide energy saving gadgets to households.

The schemes are financed through an electricity tariff, levied on electricity customers.  This tariff is roughly equivalent to £9.07 per customer per year which works out at a current fund of almost £8 million.

Income thresholds for applicants

80% of the funding for NISEP schemes is targeted at low income households.  Grant assistance and cashback incentives are available for:

• single homeowners and tenants earning up to £25,000
• couples who are homeowners or private tenants and earn up to £40,000
• homeowners or private tenants who earn up to £35,000 and are aged over 70.

Certain schemes offer fully funded assistance for:

• single homeowners and tenants earning up to £22,000
• couples or lone parents who own their home or rent privately and earn less than £30,000
• homeowners or private tenants aged over 70 with an annual income of less than £35,000.

Each scheme has specific eligibility criteria.  If your clients are interested in applying for any of these schemes, they should contact the energy company administering the scheme directly.

Schemes are provided by:

• PowerNI
• SSE Airtricity
• firmus energy
• Energystore
• LeafIP
• Energia

Energy efficiency for housing association properties

Housing Association properties running solid fuel or Economy 7 heating systems can also benefit from the NISEP fund.  The Cosy Homes scheme; run by Power NI; and the Efficient Electrical Heating scheme; run by SSE Airtricity; provide grants towards replacement heating systems, energy saving lightbulbs and energy advice for housing association tenants.

Housing Associations will be responsible for selecting properties and funding the remainder of the cost.

The Future of NISEP

NISEP will stop providing funding for energy efficiency schemes at the end of March 2016.  The Utility Regulator notes that a range of other energy efficiency schemes are currently offered or planned.  The Regulator anticipates that these schemes will provide similar benefits and target similar groups to those currently offered and targeted by NISEP.