Helping you avoid energy scams

Rising energy bills have convinced many people to take action to make their home warmer. The last thing you want is to be caught out by a scammer trying to take advantage. Common scam tactics include online ads, cold calling or leaflets through doors.

Scams may come across as though they are from a reputable organisation and include legitimate grants, and you may feel pressurised to make a quick decision before the offer expires. We advise that you do your own research before you commit to any offers.

Figuring out which offers for energy efficiency products and incentives are real and which are scams can be hard. That’s why we partner with Trading Standards Scotland to help raise awareness of the problem and let you know where to turn for trusted advice.

Get trusted advice on making your home more energy efficient

We’re the Scottish Government’s expert advice service and are trusted to deliver tailored advice to help you make the right choice. We don’t cold call and don’t sell anything, though if you’re looking to make your home more energy efficient we can offer free and impartial advice to help you make the right choice.

Also if you’re struggling to pay your bills we will point you in the right direction for financial support.

Find legitimate funding

Whether it’s a new boiler, insulation or solar panels, you might be looking for funding to help cover the cost of your energy efficiency improvements. Try our funding finder to see what’s available, including grants and interest-free loans from the Scottish Government. We can chat through the funding option that is right for your situation and guide you through the application process.

Where to start

A great starting point for managing your home energy use is to complete a Home Energy Check to see how efficient your home is now, how you can improve it, and how much money you’ll save by making improvements. You’ll get a free, personalised report with tailored recommendations. Saving energy saves CO2, so you’ll be helping address climate change too.

Find an approved trader

When installing energy saving home improvements the person or company doing the work is as important as the improvements you choose to make. We always recommend getting three quotes and checking if the installer is a member of any accreditation schemes or trade associations, and be sure to ask what guarantees they provide for the quality of their work.

If you’re looking for someone to install low carbon technologies like a heat pump or solar panels, check out Energy Saving Trust’s Renewables Installer Finder. And if you’re looking for a local trader, find one that’s approved by Trading Standards Scotland by visiting trustedtrader.scot.

Contact us first

We are here to help you make the right decision. Before you start any home improvements, check out ways to make your home warmer or get in touch with us.

What to do if you think you’ve been scammed

Scottish consumers should report scams to Advice Direct Scotland. Their helpline number is 0808 164 6000 and their website is www.consumeradvice.scot. Anyone who has been the victim of fraud should report it to Police Scotland on 101, or 999 in an emergency.