The Affordable Warmth Scheme in Northern Ireland has been extended for a further two years, meaning the current Scheme will continue until March 2026, the Department for Communities announced. The changes came into effect from 1 September 2023, following an announcement in June1.
The Scheme is funded by the Department for Communities and delivered by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE)1. It is targeted at low-income households and delivered across Northern Ireland on behalf of the Department by the NIHE1. The Department said £14m is available this year for energy efficiency works to the homes of fuel poor households1.
"Despite budgetary pressures, the Scheme has been extended for a further two years, meaning the current Scheme will continue until March 2026."
The Scheme is aimed at homeowners and private renters most likely to be in severe to extreme fuel poverty and offers a grant of up to £7,500, or £10,000 for solid wall measures, to improve the thermal efficiency of homes through a range of insulation and heating measures1. To be eligible, applicants must own their own home and occupy it as their sole or main residence, or rent from a private sector landlord, and have a total gross annual household income of less than £23,0001.
The Scheme offers a range of prioritised energy efficiency measures1:
| Measure |
|---|
| Loft and cavity wall insulation |
| Installation or upgrade of heating systems |
| Replacement of single glazed windows |
| Provision of solid wall insulation |
| Boiler replacement |
Boiler replacement is available for householders with children under 16 years old, or who receive Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment, or who are aged over 65 and have an existing boiler that is at least 15 years old1.
Individuals can now apply to the Scheme through the Northern Ireland Energy Advice Service, which can be contacted on 0800 111 44 55 or by email at nienergyadvice@nihe.gov.uk1. The NI Energy Advice Line Service provides free, comprehensive advice and support on how to save energy in the home and eligibility for help to improve energy efficiency1.
Why it matters for households
For households in Northern Ireland that meet the income and tenure conditions, the extension keeps a route to funded insulation and heating improvements open for a further two years. The measures on offer address the fabric of a home and its heating system, which are the elements that determine how much energy a household needs to buy to stay warm. Insulation reduces standing heat loss, while heating upgrades and boiler replacement change how efficiently fuel is converted into heat. Together these affect a home's running costs and its exposure to price movements, which is the practical substance of energy independence at household level.
The grant ceilings mean the Scheme can cover a substantial share of the cost of some measures, though the sources do not state how the £7,500 and £10,000 figures interact with actual installation costs, nor whether any shortfall is met by the household. The Department has not reported how many households the extension is expected to reach, nor how the £14m for this year compares with previous years.
The Scheme sits alongside other support routes in Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Boiler Replacement Scheme is closed, and the NISEP versus Affordable Warmth comparison sets out how the two differ. Across Great Britain, the equivalent obligation is ECO4. Further schemes are listed in the grants and schemes section.
What happens next
The current Scheme continues until March 20261. The Department has not reported what arrangements will follow that date.
Sources1 cited
- Changes to the Affordable Warmth Scheme | Department for Communities, communities-ni.gov.uk