Brits could find themselves eligible for air conditioning under a grant introduced by the Labour Government
Brits may be unaware that they are eligible for air conditioning (stock image) (Image: Getty)
Brits across the country could be eligible for air conditioning in their homes under a little-known government scheme. Temperatures are set to rise to 35C in parts of the UK this weekend and members of the public looking to beat the heat could make use of a Warm Homes Scheme provision.
Labour’s Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides a grant of £7,500 for household heating devices and was expanded last year to cover air-to-air heat pumps. These act as air conditioning units in the summer and keep your home warm in the winter. Experts have noted the scheme is “largely unclaimed” and that members of the public could apply for it. Just 45 households were reportedly making the most of the scheme.
Despite just 45 households applying, the scheme has enough money to supply 950,000 households with air conditioning. Minister for Energy Consumers Martin McCluskey said they offer consumers “the best of both worlds” as they can both heat and cool your home.
A three-bed home will likely run £3,700 to install. The BUS is available to all homeowners, and applications are currently open, The Sun reported. There are no limits on incom but not all properties are eligible for the installation. Most new build properties, for instance, will not be eligible for the air conditioning.
Your installer will be able to tell you if you are eligible to get the devices. Those interested in the scheme were urged to get in touch with an MCS certified installer.
Funding for 950,000 households is available (stock image) (Image: Getty)
The installer will apply for you on the Ofgem website, and the value of the grant you get – up to £2,500 – will be taken off the amount you pay for installation. Further details can be found on the Gov.uk website.
The air conditioning offer comes as the Met Office warns the public over heatwave conditions for this weekend. Temperatures are set to spike at 35C in parts of the country.
Met Office science manager, Dr Amy Doherty, said: “This year has already seen a number of remarkable temperature milestones. Not only have we now recorded a record eight days with temperatures exceeding 34°C, surpassing the previous record held by 1976 and 2020, but it is also the first year in the UK weather record to see temperatures reach 35°C or higher in May, June and July. These records highlight just how notable this year has been for UK temperatures, with exceptional warmth observed across multiple months.”