What is an air source heat pump?
Heat Pumps operate by using electricity to remove the heat from the air outside your home and use it to heat the water inside your radiators to heat your home. Heat pumps can also generate hot water for you to use and are a low-carbon form of heating.
What is the Connected for Warmth Scheme?
Connected for Warmth is funded by the Energy Company Obligation (a government energy efficiency scheme) and the Warm Homes Fund (National Grid and Affordable Warmth Solutions energy efficiency fund). It is designed to support people who may be vulnerable or at risk of fuel poverty, while reducing carbon emissions.
Will my home qualify for Connected for Warmth?
Homes which are eligible for the scheme do not have an existing central heating system. For example, they may have electric storage heaters, convection heaters or no heating.
Homes require a sufficient level of insulation for the air source heat pumps to operate effectively, and qualifying properties require an energy performance certificate (EPC) rating of E to G. If we think your home is suitable then we will conduct a full survey to determine the details of the installation.
What if my home doesn’t have an EPC?
You can check whether your property already has an EPC on the government website
https://www.gov.uk/find-energy-certificate
If you don’t have an EPC, we can advise you on whether we think your home will qualify for the Connected for Warmth scheme. Give us a call on 01604 644500 and we can advise you.
Then you can easily arrange for an approved energy assessor to assess your property and provide you with a certificate. You can find an approved energy assessor here. https://www.gov.uk/get-new-energy-certificate
There will be a small cost for this service.
What if my home doesn’t have enough insulation?
You may be able to have some insulation installed free of charge under the scheme.
Who qualifies for the Connected for Warmth Scheme?
You are likely to qualify for the available funding if:
You have a household annual income of less than £31,000
or
You, or anyone in your household, are in receipt of any of the following benefits
- Child Benefit
- Child Tax Credit (CTC)
- Housing Benefit
- Income Based Jobseekers’ Allowance (JSA)
- Income Related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Income Support
- Working Tax Credit (WTC)
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit (PCGC)
- Pension Credit Savings Credit (PCSC)
If I qualify, what do I receive?
If you qualify and your home is suitable, we will supply and install an air source heat pump along with a new water cylinder, radiators and all the necessary pipework, valves and heating controls.
How do I apply?
Complete the online application form
Do I need to pay a deposit?
No, if you qualify for the scheme then you don’t need to pay anything.
How do I know that the system will heat my home sufficiently?
We will carry out a thorough survey and detailed calculations to ensure that the heat pump, radiators, hot-water cylinder, etc., will be the right specification to meet the heating needs of you and your family. We have been installing heat pumps for many years and are fully accredited and qualified to ensure high quality standards.
What are the benefits of air source heat pumps?
If your home is currently heated using electric storage or convection heaters then switching to an air source heat pump is likely to give you the most benefits. It is estimated that a new heat pump will use at least 40% less electricity. This means that you will reduce your electricity bills and lower your carbon footprint, doing your bit to reduce the UK’s carbon emissions.
Heat pumps also achieve a much more comfortable level of heating throughout your entire house. They provide reliable heating and hot water all year round, and are low maintenance.
Who are Plumb-Line Contracting Limited?
Plumb-Line is a specialist central heating and renewable energy company founded in Northampton in 1987, which carries out the surveys and installs the heat pumps. Our heating engineers are fully-accredited to guarantee that work is carried out to the highest standard.
Who are Affordable Warmth Solutions?
Affordable Warmth Solutions is a Community Interest Company established in 2008. It helps to provide low-carbon heating systems and supports people who are at risk of fuel poverty.
Who are AgilityEco?
AgilityEco manages and administers the Connected for Warmth Scheme on behalf of the Government.
Who is The Energy Saving Trust?
The Energy Saving Trust is an independent organisation, whose mission is to address the climate emergency. It works with governments to deliver low-carbon or energy-efficiency programmes, such as the Connected for Warmth scheme.
“Cannot speak more highly of the company.”
Customer in Northampton, November 2021
