Delivering warmer homes that are cheaper to heat

Milestone reached in energy efficiency support scheme

More than 50,000 households across Scotland have received support to live in warmer, healthier homes which are more affordable to heat.

Warmer Homes Scotland, the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme provides essential insulation and heating improvements to people living in, or at risk of, fuel poverty – helping ensure that more households across Scotland can live in warmer, safer, and more energy‑efficient homes.

Since its launch in 2015, the government has invested around £400 million in the scheme, delivered by Warmworks, which has now helped over 50,000 households across Scotland.

Marking this significant milestone, First Minister John Swinney met Warmer Homes Scotland customer Sandra Owen, who received electric storage heaters through the scheme to improve the energy efficiency of her home.

The First Minister said: “Warmer Homes Scotland is central to delivering my priorities for Scotland – helping people with the cost of living and tackling poverty, by providing support to make homes warmer and more affordable to heat.

“The scheme has been hugely successful, having now supported more than 50,000 households around the country – helping reduce fuel bills and ensuring households can benefit from the necessary transition to net zero.

“It is just one example of how my government is delivering for the people of Scotland and helping them keep more money in their pockets. In our budget we are allocating over £330 million to a range of initiatives, including Warmer Homes Scotland, to help everyone install clean heat and energy efficiency measures in their homes and buildings.”

Nicola Mcleod, Warmworks Managing Director, Scotland Division, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be marking this milestone today and celebrating what the scheme has delivered for households across the country with the support of our team, our supply chain and partners.

“That’s 50,000 people and families who are now living in warmer, healthier homes and worrying less about their fuel bills. Those savings will go a long way in helping so many people in their daily lives, but with so many homes still struggling to stay affordably warm, we know there is a huge amount more still to be done.

“We’re committed to working alongside the Scottish Government to ensure that Warmer Homes Scotland continues to support as many households as possible and is able to extend its proven, lasting impact on people and communities across the country.”

Warmworks are the Managing Agent for the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland.

Home Energy Scotland is calling on households in Edinburgh to act now to find out if they are eligible for £5000 worth of home improvements

  • A further 110,000 Scottish households could be eligible for energy saving home improvements as part of the Warmer Homes Scotland programme
  • The Scottish Government scheme has already supported more than 1500 homes in Edinburgh and has now extended its eligibility criteria to support more Scottish households this winter–         

With fuel bills on the rise, a further 110,000 Scottish households could now benefit from energy saving home improvements as the eligibility criteria* for the Scottish Government’s Warmer Homes Scotland programme is extended.

Home Energy Scotland is calling on Scottish households in Edinburgh to act now ahead of the colder months, to find out if they may be eligible for around £5000 worth of support including heating and insulation improvements.

Delivered by Warmworks, more than 1500 households in Edinburgh have already benefitted from the programme since 2015, bringing a total cost saving on energy bills of around £388,189 in the region.

Designed to keep the heat in and increase energy efficiency in the home, Scottish households could also reduce their bills by getting in touch, with those who may have contacted Home Energy Scotland previously, encouraged to get back in touch due to the extended eligibility criteria.

Harry Mayers, Head of Home Energy Scotland, said; “With winter just around the corner, we understand that it is an extremely worrying time for many Scottish households in Edinburgh as we see home energy prices rise, but we are urging people to get in touch now to check whether they may be entitled to support.

“Following the Scottish Government extension to the eligibility criteria, support is available to even more Scottish households granting access to funding for energy saving home improvements including renewable systems.

“Even households who may have previously contacted Home Energy Scotland but unfortunately did not meet the criteria at that time, are encouraged to get back in touch as they may be eligible now due to the updates.”

Home Energy Scotland, the Scottish Government’s free energy efficiency advice service, helps people access the Warmer Homes Scotland programme along with a range of other financial support and impartial advice.

To find out exactly what you are eligible for – even if you have applied before – call the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Scotland hotline now on 0808 808 2282 or go to www.homeenergyscotland.org

Local company achieves Investors in People Platinum accreditation

Warmworks Scotland, managing agent of the Scottish Government’s  national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland, has achieved the prestigious Investors in People Platinum accreditation.

To have received the highest level accreditation means that Warmworks has become only the second organisation in Scotland to achieve a Platinum award in its first assessment against the standard.

For nearly 30 years, Investors in People has been recognised internationally as a leading people accreditation and Warmworks’ achievement reflects the commitments that the company makes to its employees – leading and inspiring people to achieve great things on a daily basis.

Commenting on the accreditation, Ross Armstrong, Managing Director of Warmworks said: “I am absolutely delighted that Warmworks has been awarded the Investors in People accreditation, Platinum standard. This was our first assessment against the standard and to receive the highest level accreditation is a testament to how we do business.

“I am extremely proud and privileged to be a part of this amazing organisation, one that has already achieved so much in the four years since it was formed. The next step for us is to use our unique, values-driven culture as our starting point for our future growth and development, ensuring that we maximise this platform to build an equally exciting and inspiring future.”

 Ben Macpherson, MSP for Edinburgh Northern and Leith said:  “Warmworks do vital work in my constituency, delivering the Scottish Government’s nationwide energy efficiency scheme and helping to lift many of my constituents out of fuel poverty.

“That’s why I was so delighted when Warmworks received the Investors in People Platinum accreditation. This demonstrates not only their commitment to their employees but also their determination to lead by example as an employer of choice.”

Warmworks, based in Leith, was founded in 2015 and employs around 70 field and office-based employees. It also manages a supply chain of 300+, which cover the length and breadth of Scotland.

Warmer homes? Send for the Q-Bots!

Q-Bot technology has recently been added to the range of energy efficiency measures offered under Warmer Homes Scotland – the Scottish Government’s national scheme for improving energy efficiency in homes who are in or at risk of fuel poverty.

The scheme’s Managing Agent, Warmworks Scotland, has now confirmed that the technology, a unique robot that is controlled via remote control, will be used to insulate the area underneath suspended timber floors, thus creating a warmer, more comfortable home, with fewer draughts, more even temperatures, and a reduced risk of damp or mould. Continue reading Warmer homes? Send for the Q-Bots!