Home Energy Scotland are currently offering interest free loans for people installing renewable energy devices in Scotland. Check your eligibility by calling them on 0808 808 2282, or for more details, click here:

You can now apply for grant funding without taking out a loan. A rural uplift is also available to provide extra support to rural and island homes which can face increased costs to install home improvements.

The rural uplift is available to households in Remote Rural and Island areas, as well as off-gas Accessible Rural areas, as defined by the Urban Rural Classification. HES advisors will be able to tell you whether your property is eligible for this uplift and their application form will assess this based on your postcode.

Grant funding for energy efficiency improvements is up to 75% of the combined cost of the improvements, up to the maximum grant amount of £7,500, or £9,000 for households which qualify for the rural uplift. The remainder of funding requested can be taken up as an optional interest-free loan.

HEAT PUMPS (either air source to water, ground source to water, water source to water): £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus £7,500 optional loan, or £9,000 grant plus £7,500 optional loan if the household qualifies for the rural uplift).

HYBRID HEAT PUMPS (air to water): £15,000 (£7,500 grant plus £7,500 optional loan, or £9,000 grant plus £7,500 optional loan if the household qualifies for the rural uplift). Funding is only available for the heat pump component of the system which must meet MCS standards to qualify. Only heat pumps that provide 100% of heating requirements are normally eligible for MCS certification. The only exception to this is where there is a technical reason why 100% of heating requirements cannot be met by a heat pump alone. You should speak to your installer before making any decisions and obtain a guarantee in writing that the hybrid heat pump will meet MCS certification. The heat pump component must be whole house, this means it must provide both heating and hot water. Therefore, there must be evidence of a hot water tank or thermal store either at the property or one being installed alongside the heat pump.

SOLAR PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) PANELS £6,000 (£1,250 grant plus £4,750 optional loan). Funding only available for this measure if taken as a package of measures.