The Home Energy Efficiency Scheme (Scotland) Regulations 2006

PART 3 Central Heating Programme

Interpretation

10.  In this Part of these Regulations–

“central heating system” means a system which provides warmth to 2 or more rooms in a dwelling through a series of connected radiators or ducts linked to a central boiler or from a series of electric storage heaters and controlled from one central point;

“electric storage heater” means–

(a)

a free-standing storage heater;

(b)

an electric fan-assisted storage warm air system;

(c)

an electric wired underfloor heating system, set in solid floors; or

(d)

an electric ceiling heating system;

“inefficient central heating system” means–

(a)

a central heating system that is unable to deliver a satisfactory heating regime;

(b)

a central heating system that consists of or includes–

(i)

a solid fuel boiler with a seasonal efficiency of less than 55%;

(ii)

a natural gas boiler with a seasonal efficiency of 55% or less;

(iii)

an oil-fired boiler with a seasonal efficiency of less than 65%; or

(iv)

a gravity or semi-gravity solid fuel heating system which was manufactured at least 20 years before the date of application; or

(c)

a central heating system that consists of or includes electric storage heaters which were manufactured at least 20 years before the date of application;

“partial central heating system” means a system that does not provide warmth to one or more of the following rooms–

(a)

the main living room;

(b)

the main and any second bedroom;

(c)

the main bathroom; and

(d)

the main hallway;

“satisfactory heating regime” means a temperature of 23°C in a living room and 18°C in all other rooms sustained for at least 16 hours in every period of 24 hours;

“seasonal efficiency” means the efficiency of a boiler as determined using the 2005 edition of the Government's Standard Assessment Procedure for Energy Rating of Dwellings(1); and

“self-contained dwelling” includes any part of a building which is occupied as a separate dwelling.

Persons who may apply for a grant under this Part

11.  –

(1) An application for a grant towards the cost of the works specified in regulation 13 may be entertained from a person who–

(a) has attained, or lives with a partner who has attained, the age of 60;

(b) alone or jointly with others owns the dwelling or occupies it–

(i) under a lease from a private individual, partnership or from a limited company which is not a registered housing association;

(ii) as a service occupant; or

(iii) as a cottar within the meaning of section 12(5) of the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993; and

(c) at the time the application is made has occupied the dwelling for at least one year and does not expect to cease to occupy the dwelling within the period of twelve months beginning with the date on which the works are completed.

(2) If the application is for a grant for the works specified in regulation 13(1)(c) the applicant must–

(a) have attained the age of 80; or

(b) be in receipt of guarantee credit as mentioned in section 1 of the State Pension Credit Act 2002(2).

Dwellings eligible for grant

12.  An application for a grant under this part may only be entertained in respect of a dwelling which–

(a) (i) does not have a central heating system;

(ii) has a partial central heating system or an inefficient central heating system; or

(iii) has a central heating system that does not function;

(b) is self-contained; and

(c) is not the subject of any order or resolution which may lead to its demolition.

Works for which grant may be made

13.  –

(1) Subject to paragraph (2) below, a grant may only be made for the purpose of–

(a) providing a type of central heating system approved by the administering agency and any new fuel source;

(b) repairing a central heating system that does not function if it is reasonable to do so having regard to the likely lifespan and efficiency of the system; or

(c) replacing or upgrading a partial or inefficient central heating system.

(2) Where an application is approved for a purpose mentioned in paragraph (1) grant may also be made for the purpose of providing–

(a) insulation between the internal and external leaves of cavity walls of the dwelling;

(b) insulation to any water heating system or any part of such a system;

(c) insulation in any accessible roof space in the dwelling, including the insulation of any cold water tank and any water supply, overflow and expansion pipes in such a space;

(d) draughtproofing to or in the dwelling together with additional means of ventilation for any rooms which would otherwise be inadequately ventilated after such provision;

(e) energy advice;

(f) a cold alarm;

(g) a smoke detector; and

(h) a carbon monoxide detector.

Limits of grant

14.  –

(1) The maximum amount of grant payable under regulation 13(1)(a) is £3,500 but, if no central heating system approved by the administering agency can be installed for that amount, the lowest costing approved system may be installed where costs do not exceed £5,500.

(2) Grant may only be paid under regulation 13(1)(b) if the cost of repairing the central heating system is between £400 and £750, but where the cost exceeds £750, grant may be made under regulation 13(1)(a).

Conditions of grant

15.  The making of a grant may be made conditional on the carrying out of works listed in regulation 13(2).

(1)

Published by the Building Research Establishment.

(2)

2002 c. 16. There are amendments not relevant to these Regulations.