In the last two weeks, both Npower and EDF Energy have increased their gas and electricity prices. Because of this, we thought you might like to know about a way of reducing your heating bills by better insulating your home. What’s even better is that, if you satisfy certain criteria, it won’t cost you a penny.

According to the Energy Savings Trust, a third of a home’s heat is lost through the walls. Cavity wall insulation can prevent this loss and save you around £90 a year on your heating bills. Loft insulation should add an extra £110 on average to this amount saved.

British Gas and Npower are offering free home insulation, worth about £600, to anyone over 70 and those on certain benefits.

What’s even better is that it doesn’t matter how much you earn and that you don’t need to be a current customer of either company. British Gas is running the initiative as part of the government’s carbon emissions reduction target (Cert) scheme. Both will offer cavity wall and loft insulation absolutely free of charge to every homeowner in the UK who is over 70 or on certain benefits.

Under the Cert scheme, energy companies are required to spend £1.5bn over the next three years on the installation of energy efficiency measures in the homes of the elderly and those on low incomes.

To qualify for the scheme you must be over 70 or in receipt of at least one of the following benefits:

• Council tax benefit

• Housing benefit

• Income support

• Income-based Jobseeker’s allowance

• Attendance allowance

• Disability living allowance

• War disablement pension which includes either mobility supplement or constant attendance allowance

• Disablement pension which includes constant attendance allowance

• State pension credit

• Child tax credit where the relevant annual household income is £14,600 or less

• Working tax credit where the relevant annual household income is £14,600 or less

The scheme is not just for homeowners. If you live in privately rented housing, and receive any of the above benefits, you can also apply as long as you have the landlord’s approval.

For further energy saving ideas please read our article: ‘Top tips to save you money on your energy bills’.

For additional information and to apply:

Ring British Gas on 0845 605 2535 and quote ‘JOU’

OR

Ring Npower on 0800 02 22 20