Support for people in rural homes

How can you save energy in a rural home?

You don’t have to spend a penny to start saving on your energy bills. Our guides are packed with easy tips. From switching off standby appliances to cutting your shower time, these small changes can add up. Discover:

• easy ways to save energy
• how to save water in everyday life; and
• how to save energy in the kitchen.

What energy-saving home improvements should you consider?

If you need to make changes to your home, we know it can feel difficult knowing where to start.

Use the home energy check to understand your options

Our home energy check helps you think about energy-saving home improvements. This free tool estimates how much energy you may be using and suggests changes that could help reduce your energy bills.

Do you need an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC)?

An Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) gives information about your home’s energy efficiency and ways it could be improved. If you want to apply for funding to help cover the costs of making improvements, getting an updated EPC can help speed up the process because it outlines what improvements your home could benefit from. 

To find out if your home has an EPC or to search for EPC assessors in your area, check out the Scottish EPC register.

What heating options are available if your home is off-gas?

If your home is not connected to the natural gas network, there are other heating options that may help reduce your energy costs. 

We can help you explore options like installing a heat pump or other home energy upgrades which can reduce your energy costs and environmental impact. These technologies can be particularly well-suited for rural homes. We can give you advice about their benefits, costs, and how suitable they may be for your home.

Check out the Green Homes Network. It includes case studies from homeowners across Scotland who've already installed home energy upgrades or made energy efficiency improvements and want to share their experiences.
 

What funding and support is available?

Funding could help with the upfront cost of making energy-saving improvements. 

Making your home more energy efficient can lower your energy bills. However, the upfront cost of improvements such as better insulation or upgrading your heating system can put people off.

The good news is that we can help you find funding to help cover the cost. For example, you could get a grant to cover home improvements or be able to spread the cost with an interest-free loan, or benefit from a rural uplift grant.

Use our funding finder to search for funding and support in your area, or contact us directly for information.
 

How do you find certified installers in rural areas?

Finding certified installers for insulation, home energy upgrades and other energy efficiency improvements can be challenging in rural areas. 

Read our tips on how to find suitable installers on our Home Energy Scotland Grant and Loan webpage. 

You can search for Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) certified installers and read customer reviews on Energy Saving Trust’s Renewables Installer Finder.