The Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grant scheme

Formerly known as the Scottish Community Householder Renewables Initiative (SCHRI )) this scheme provides grants for properties in Scotland. This is funded by the Scottish Government and managed by the Energy Saving Trust.

Grants are available for solar water heating, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal space heating, small scale wind and hydro systems, ground source and air source heat pumps and automated biomass boilers and stoves. Funding for householders is set at 30% of the installed cost up to £4,000.

Technologies available include solar photovoltaic, micro hydro-electric, micro wind, solar water heating, solar space heating, automated wood fuel heating systems (boilers and room heaters/stoves), - heat pumps (ground, air and water source) and connections to the Lerwick District Heating Network

If you live in Scotland you can choose to apply for an Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grant or a low carbon buildings programme grant. However, you cannot have a grant from both programmes for one technology.


Government Grants

The grants below are funded by the Government and provide up to £3,500 to improve heating and energy efficiency. Unfortunately in many cases, only households on certain benefits or over a certain age are eligibile. The criteria for the schemes differ between countries. Full details can be found on the websites listed below.

Warm Front grant (England)
Warm Homes grant (Northern Ireland)
The Energy Assistance Package (Scotland)
Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Wales)

Once only of interest to a small minority, green is the new black as far as self-building is concerned.

With the effects of global warming becoming increasingly apparent, more and more people are seeking greener ways to provide the energy needed to run a home.

Whether it's solar panels, heat pumps, high specification glazing or eco-friendly wool insulation in the loft space, there is little doubt that it is self-builders who are setting the standards for a greener future for the building industry and the way we live our lives.

Underfloor heating for example, has been available for years but, by and large, the self build market has been the industry's bread and butter - with large scale property developers still opting for standard, less efficient radiators.

But it's not all about saving the planet. Incorporating green ideas into a home can lead to reduced running costs and save you money in the medium to long term too. And when you come to sell your home in the future, you can guarantee that the greener it is the more attractive it will be to prospective buyers.

There is a greater sense of purpose from the government to promote green alternatives too with a stick and carrot approach in place.

Building regulations now demand far better energy efficiency while government grants are available for loft insulation right through to solar panels, heat pumps, wind turbines and other microgeneration technologies.

Self-builders are leading the way as far as greener homes are concerned and greenselfbuild.co.uk will be with you every step of the way towards a greener future for you, your family and the wider community.