Grants in Scotland

In Scotland, household grants are administered by the Energy Savings Trust.  Support is now provided by Energy Saving Scotland home renewables grant scheme (previously known as SCHRI.

For more information go to http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/scotland/.

These grants apply to residential dwellings in Scotland only.  You should not commence your project until you have received grant approval!

From 8th September 2008, a range of energy efficient requirements were introduced to be required where practical and appropriate.  These are:

- Loft insulation to 270mm
- Cavity wall insulation
- Energy efficient light bulbs in all appropriate fittings
- Basic controls for heating system including room thermostat and programmer/timer

The measures must be in place prior to the final grant claim.  When claiming the grant the applicant must state which measures have been installed.  Additionally, the EST will underake an inspection programme of a sample of funded properties to ensure these measures have taken place.

These measures are not required for new build properties as current Building Regulations ensure energy efficiency of a new build is satisfactory.  If they are unsuitable for a property, then they shall not have to be installed.  If you have any queries, please phone 0800 512 012.

Terms and conditions change on an ongoing basis.  You should always check www.est.org.uk/schri to ensure your information is up to date.   

Download the domestic grant application form by visiting the Energy Savings Trust website here.

Accredited Technologies

• Solar Thermal – solar panels, the direct cost of fixing to the roof and connection to water supply. VAT not included, excludes previous two-year extended warranty.
• Solar PV -
• Heat Pumps (Ground, Air, Water) – all IHS equipment, cost of ground works, digging trenches or drilling boreholes, connection to plumbing and electrical supply. VAT not included, excludes previous two-year extended warranty.

Other micro-renewables also qualify for grant assistance.  For more information, see www.est.org.uk/schri

Grant Amounts

Funding for householders is set at 30% of the eligible costs of each technology up to a maximum of £4,000 per technology. The grant is subject to a maximum of two technologies per household.

Application Requirements

• The property must be used principally by you or your family for your own private residential purposes. (No entitlement exists if the property is used for business purposes, including letting).
• Complete grant application and forward with copy of IHS quotation.  Accreditation numbers can be found below.
• Complete a separate application  for each technology to be installed at the same property
• Applications are processed on a rolling basis subject to available funds

Accreditation Numbers

IHS Accredited No MCS 1280

Product Accreditation Nos

Terra 5S – 45S     GSHP 6051
Terra HGL 5S – 12S     GSHP 6091
Terra Twin 2 x 8, 2 x 10 and 2 x 12     GSHP 6092
Terra Max (50, 60, 70, 90)     GSHP 6102

Solar Panels     ST1092

Other Incentives

Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECas)

ECAs are designed to help a business improve its cash flow through accelerated tax relief.  The ECA scheme for energy-saving technologies encourages businesses to invest in energy-saving plant or machinery specified on the Energy Technology List (ETL) which is managed by the Carbon Trust on behelf of the Government.

Under the ECA scheme, you can claim an ‘enhanced’ 100% capital allowance on qualifying investments in equipment in the first tax year.  Normal capital allowances on plant and machinery are 25% a year on a reducing balance basis.  So the scheme boosts cash flow and shortens the payback period.

A list of eligible equipment is available from the ECA website - see www.eca.gov.uk.

Once you’ve made a qualify investment, you can claim the allowance on your income tax or corporation tax return.  The more you invest, the more you save, so if you invested £10,000, the ECA would reduce your tax bill by £3,000.  Under normal capital allowances, you would only be able to reduce your tax bill by £750 in the same period, so you save four times as much.  This doesn’t include the savings you make on your energy use with the new equipment.

Qualifying technologies include:

• Heat Pumps for space heating (including Road Energy Systems); ground and air source
• Pipework insulation
• Heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) zone controls
• Air-to-air energy recovery
• Combined heat and power (CHP)
• Radiant and warm air heaters
• Solar thermal systems
• Solar PV systems

Click here to read further information or download a brochure from the Downloads section of the website.

Note to Builders and Developers

You must receive a grant offer before you purchase a building in which you intend to install a renewable technology.  You are eligible to apply for funding for the future owners of private residential buildings.  You must receive individual quotes for each property applied for.  A separate application form must be completed for each property. Submit with the quote and De Minimis Declaration (this is to ensure you comply with State Aid rules).  You can apply for eight grants, with a maximum of two technologies installed in any one property.  Once work is completed and the property sold, you must submit documentation in order for the new owner to receive the offer of a 30% grant.  For large volume builders proposing to install in a number of properties a streamlined process using one application form may apply.

For further information, contact the Energy Savings Trust on 0131 555 7900.