Home energy efficiency scheme reminder as mercury drops

As the mercury drops, Orkney Islands Council is highlighting again the help available for local householders through the Scottish Government’s HEEPS:ABS scheme to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.

The HEEPS:ABS scheme (Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland: Area-Based Scheme) has helped over 600 households over the past 5 years within Orkney to make their homes warmer and more energy efficient through the installation of energy-saving improvements, primarily insulation.

Around £1.5m of funding is available in Orkney, with up to £10,000 available per applicant. However, a higher grant award of £14,000 can be considered based on the applicant’s circumstances.

One of the newer aspects to the scheme is that householders can receive financial assistance towards modern high heat retention storage heaters; following any necessary basic insulation upgrades.

Luke Fraser is Team Leader (Policy and Planning) for the Council’s Housing team. “This is the seventh year of HEEPS:ABS in Orkney and while the programme has been very successful and helped over 600 households, Orkney still has one of the highest fuel poverty rates in the United Kingdom.

“That’s why we’d urge people to find out if they can benefit from this scheme.“A

"Anecdotally we understand there may be concerns in the community about having work carried out in your home during the current covid-19 situation.

“So in addition to reminding people about the scheme, we’d like to reassure people that all works are carried out to strict covid safety guidelines.

“We hope that the expansion of the scheme to include modern storage heaters as an option after installation of basic insulation measures will be of interest to folk as a low invasive, straightforward upgrade to their current old storage heaters.”

In August, the Council appointed Warmworks to manage the HEEPS:ABS scheme in Orkney. Warmworks is a trusted, established company that has been working throughout Orkney since 2015 as the Managing Agent of the Scottish Government’s national fuel poverty scheme, Warmer Homes Scotland which has seen them working with established local companies, including RS Merriman and R Clouston. They opened an office in Kirkwall the same month.

Warmworks’ Managing Director, Ross Armstrong said: “We’re committed to helping people and families in Orkney feel warmer in their homes without having to worry so much about the cost. If you’re struggling to keep warm, give us a call and we’ll take it from there. No one should have to live in a cold home and Warmworks is here to help.”

To see if you are eligible for help, email or call the Warmworks team on 01856 881513, or visit their website to find out more. 

You can also visit their office at The Store, 5 West Tankerness Lane, Kirkwall, KW15 1AL (Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 17:00) but please phone in advance.

Eligible households can receive funding for:

• Loft insulation.
• Internal Wall insulation.
• External Wall insulation.
• (Under) Floor insulation.
• High heat retention storage heaters; following necessary insulation upgrades.

Please contact Warmworks to discuss your situation and other help that might be available to you.