It’s Time to See If you Qualify for First Time Central Heating Grants
Many people don’t know the right way to know whether they are eligible for First Time Central Heating grants or not. This confusion wastes a lot of their time and opportunities.
If you are also confused, you can take help from the following blog post. This covers the details about First Time Central Heating grants, eligibility criteria, services of First Time Heating Grants, and benefits.
Let’s start this discussion!
First Time Central Heating Grants
First Time Central Heating (FTCH) Grants is a scheme aiming to provide the heat efficient heating system to all the low-income households. Moreover, their goal is to reduce fuel poverty by providing free of cost and energy efficient heating systems. ECO4 First Time Central Heating grants is the most famous among all grants which are providing free of cost heating systems.
It is a government scheme in which the UK government obliges the energy companies to provide different types of heating grants. The First Time Heating System comes in two types, which are the following:
The first type of central heating system grants heating systems in the properties which are mains gas. Moreover, these gas mains should be installed before 31 March, 2022. The second type of heating system grants are available for the homes which don’t have mains gas.
Qualifying Criteria for Central Heating Grants
The ECO4 first time heating system grant is totally free of cost. You don’t need to pay even a single penny for these grants. That’s why energy companies have set a qualifying criteria. This criteria will be a screening instrument to separate eligible people from the non-eligible people.
Some of the most important factors included in the Central Heating Grants are the following:
Ownership
You have to show ownership of the property if you want the First Time Central Heating grants. If you are living in rental properties and you want this grant, you should take permission from the owner. Moreover, if you are living in a social housing area, you should have at least 50% ownership of the property.
Type of Property
The property should have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating from a licensed department. This rating can be D, E, F, or G. This reflects your property is energy inefficient and needs grants for efficient systems.
In case your property doesn’t have any EPC rating, you should immediately ask the respective department for your property’s assessment. They will not only give an EPC rating but also guide your regarding improvement for better EPC rating.
Government Benefits
There are several benefits which are given to the low income people from the government. If someone is receiving these benefits, it means they can’t afford to install new heating systems by themselves. That’s why energy systems have kept it compulsory for the applicants that they must be receipt of any of the following benefits:
- Child Benefits
- Income Benefits
- Jobseeker Allowance
- Universal Benefits
- Pension Credit
When considering these benefits for eligibility, you have to consider the benefits which make the people ineligible for this scheme.
Local Flex Rules
If the local authorities recommend your property for these First Time Heating System Heating grants, you will become eligible. However, they also consider a set of rules which help them to decide whether to recommend your property or not.
They consider the homeowners which are struggling with the energy bills payments and other expenses. Sometimes, the Citizen Advice, energy supplier, or property owner refer them to the local authorities.
Insulation
Home insulation is considered as a must for First Time Heating Grants. There should be at least loft insulation or cavity wall insulation in your home. If there is no insulation, the installers will firstly install this insulation in your home.
Along with all the factors mentioned above, you have to consider your annual income. It must be below $31,000 per annum.
Things Covered in the First Time Central Heating Grants
The First Time Heating Grants provide different types of heating systems, insulation, and boilers. Which system will be installed in your home depends upon your home’s requirements and conditions. However, some of the most important services of First Time Central Heating Grants are the following:
- Main Gas Boiler
- Biomass Boiler
- LPG Boiler
- Air Source Heat Pump
- Ground Source Heat Pump
- Electric Boiler
Moreover, these also provide insulations for complete homes, such as the loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, or solid wall insulation.
Benefits of First Time Central Heating Grants
The First Time Central Heating Grants provide different services which are completely free of cost. Their benefits depend on their goals, such as the following:
Energy Efficiency
One of the main goals of ECO4 First Time Central Heating Grants is energy efficiency. They install the systems which consume very small amounts of energy to produce heat. At the same time, some systems, such as air source heat pumps, use renewable energy sources for this purpose.
Comfort
The heating systems of ECO4 are not only efficient but also provide a consistent heat. They are of high quality and homeowners don’t have to worry about their maintenance and repair. Moreover, there are smart thermostats with these systems which can control the temperature of the home.
Low Carbon Emissions
The First Time Central Heating System is a part of the Government scheme which aims to make the UK carbon free by the 2050s. That’s why they are installing the systems which result in very low carbon emissions. They install systems which don’t rely on fossil fuels and consume renewable energy resources.
Cost-saving
The First Time Central Heating Systems saves the costs of homeowners in several ways. First of all, there are no buying or installation costs. Secondly, the systems consume very low amounts of energy to reduce the energy bills. Moreover, they prefer the heating systems which consume renewable energy resources. The renewable energy resources cost less than non-renewable energy resources.
Value of Home
The buyers and investors always prefer the homes which are comfortable and energy efficient. The heating systems installed through the scheme of ECO4 First Time Central Heating Systems make homes energy efficient and comfortable. Due to these systems, a lot of energy bills are saved on an annual basis.
Conclusion
With the help of qualifying factors mentioned above, you can easily know whether you are eligible for First Time Central Heating systems or not. However, if someone is still confused about the eligibility criteria, they can use the online eligibility checkers.
