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Frequently asked questions about the Energy Efficiency Scheme

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Eligibility

Am I eligible for free energy efficiency items?

You are eligible to receive free energy efficiency items if any of the following applies:

  1. Your weekly income and the weekly income of every household member is below the Isle of Man median income, defined by the most recent Isle of Man Earnings Report. This is £673 per week, which equates to £34,996.

  2. The total income of your household does not exceed £60,000 per year before any deductions or taxes.

  3. Or if you are in receipt of one of the following benefits:
    1. Attendance allowance
    2. Carer’s allowance
    3. Disability living allowance
    4. Employed person’s allowance
    5. Income support
    6. Short-term incapacity benefit or long-term incapacity benefit
    7. Income-based jobseeker’s allowance
    8. Child benefit at the full rate, equating to £24.20 per week and/or
    9. A war disablement pension

View our example eligibility scenarios.

I’m not eligible, what support is available for me?

If you are not eligible for this Scheme and are looking to reduce your household bills and/or create a more energy efficient home visit DfE's website for more information about the Green Living Grant Scheme.

You can also browse the pages within this website or contact the dedicated Cost of Living Support helpline on +44 1624 686262.

Will I need to provide confirmation of the eligibility criteria?

When you apply online you may become subject to a spot check where you are required to evidence that you meet the eligibility criteria. The application process will not activate a valid voucher for you to redeem until evidence of your eligibility has been provided.

How do I evidence that I meet the eligibility criteria?

There is a section entitled 'Upload Evidence' on the online portal where you can easily upload your documents.

Alternatively, you can take your documents in person or post them to:

Energy Policy Team,
DEFA,
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
IM4 3AS.

What documents will I be able to use to evidence I meet the eligibility criteria?

If applying in respect of income criteria, a copy of your most recently assessed income tax return and a copy of the associated assessment letter.

If applying in respect of the benefits criteria, a copy of any letter confirming receipt of the stated benefits. In the absence of this, you may contact social security who will be happy to issue a new letter to demonstrate which benefits have been received.

What is gross income?

Total income prior to deductions or taxes.

I am a pensioner, am I eligible?

A pension is a form of income and will be treated accordingly.

 

Household members

Who do I need to include from my household when calculating the total income?

Anyone aged 18 years or over who is ordinarily resident at the same eligible premises as the
applicant.

Can I apply for the items if I don’t live in the property?

No, you must be ordinarily resident at the eligible premises to which the application relates.

Can I apply on behalf of my household?

If you are applying on the basis of the income threshold, the application is being made on behalf of, and with the consent of, all relevant household members.

If you are applying on the basis of benefits, then the applicant must be the person in receipt of the stated benefit.

 

Energy efficiency items

What items are available and how many of each item can I get?

  1. Loft insulation – maximum of 20 rolls
  2. Chimney draft excluders – 1
  3. External door draft excluder – 2
  4. Self-adhesive window seals – 6
  5. LED lightbulbs (60w / 75w) – 10
  6. Letterbox covers – 1
  7. Radiator reflector roll – maximum 4 rolls
  8. Water tank jacket – 1
  9. Water tank pipework insulation – maximum 10
  10. Smart Heating Controls – 1
  11. Thermostatic Radiator Valves – maximum 10

What do I do if I forget to add something to my order?

If you have made an order and need to amend it, maybe you need different items or more/less of items already ordered you must contact the Energy Policy team who can amend your order for you.

Email: energysave@gov.im 

Telephone: 08081624276

If you try to amend an existing order the system will reject your order.

How many rolls of loft insulation would I need?

The UK Energy Saving Trust recommends a minimum depth of 300mm of Glass Mineral Wool insulation. This is achieved by laying 100mm between the ceiling joists and 200mm cross-laid over the joists. You can use our table below to work out the estimated usage of mineral wool Insulation you would need for your project.

You will need to measure the area of your loft to calculate how many rolls of loft insulation you will need to buy, as well as understanding how much loft insulation you already have.

To give an indication of how many rolls you may need, please see the breakdown below based off on average house sizes:

Average Terraced House 40m2

  1. Base Layer (Loft Roll 100mm - 8.3 M2 per pack): 5 packs needed
  2. Top Layer (Loft Roll 150mm - 6.5 M2 per pack): 6 packs needed
  3. Top Layer (Loft Roll 200mm - 5.6 M2 per pack): 7 packs needed

Average Semi-Detached House 50m2

  1. Base Layer (Loft Roll 100mm - 8.3 M2 per pack): 6 packs needed
  2. Top Layer (Loft Roll 150mm - 6.5 M2 per pack): 8 packs needed
  3. Top Layer (Loft Roll 200mm - 5.6 M2 per pack): 9 packs needed

Average Detached House 60m2

  1. Base Layer (Loft Roll 100mm - 8.3 M2 per pack): 7 packs needed
  2. Top Layer (Loft Roll 150mm - 6.5 M2 per pack): 9 packs needed
  3. Top Layer (Loft Roll 200mm - 5.6 M2 per pack): 11 packs needed

Large Detached House 80m2

  1. Base Layer (Loft Roll 100mm - 8.3 M2 per pack): 10 packs needed
  2. Top Layer (Loft Roll 150mm - 6.5 M2 per pack): 12 packs needed
  3. Top Layer (Loft Roll 200mm - 5.6 M2 per pack): 14 packs needed

I want to order loft insulation, but I have nowhere to store this until it is fitted, what should I do?

You could make arrangements with your chosen merchant to deliver on an agreed date. Please be aware, it is your own responsibility to manage delivery, storage and installation of the items.

I have ordered my items however some of them are not in stock what should I do?

You can take your voucher to a different depot or supplier. If they are all out of stock please be patient until the stock is replenished.

Your voucher will have an expiry date. If the items are not available by the time your voucher expires then you can contact The Energy Policy Team at DEFA via email: energysave@gov.im or call: +44 1624 685149 or via Freephone: 0808 162 4276 and request for your voucher to be extended.

Where can I find out more information about these energy efficiency items?

Please visit the NetZero website.

 

Assessing your home

I don’t know what I need, how do I assess my home?

There is extensive guidance on the Net Zero Isle of Man website that will allow you to make an informed decision about the measures you wish to fit in your home and the most effective way to install them. Please see some useful links below:

  1. Net Zero's Home energy page
  2. Net Zero's DIY Home energy checklist
  3. Gov.im's get an energy check up page

If you are still unsure you can contact The Energy Policy Team at DEFA via email: energysave@gov.im or call: +44 1624 685149 or via Freephone: 0808 162 4276.

I am a tenant, do I need my landlord's permission?

Please check your tenancy agreement and if you are unsure seek confirmation and approval from your landlord before you make an application.

 

Applying for the energy efficiency items

Can I receive the items without filling in the application form?

No, each eligible household has a maximum spend which is calculated in an online portal via the details from the application form.

If you are struggling to apply, the depots and Energy Policy Team can assist.

I don’t have internet access; do I have to apply online?

You can go to any of the depots and use the iPad to apply. If support is required, there may be someone available to help you through the application process. If you require further support, please visit the Get Online Centre in the Sea Terminal Douglas.

Alternatively, you can complete a paper application and take this to a depot or email to: energysave@gov.im or post to:

Energy Policy Team,
DEFA,
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
IM4 3AS.

Can I apply more than once?

You can only receive 1 voucher at any given time so please take time to consider which items you would like to order. Once the voucher has been redeemed or expired you may apply for further items.

Please note, there is a maximum £800 spend per household as well as a limit to the number of items you can order per household. This applies whether you apply once or multiple times.

My application failed, who can I speak to?

We’re sorry to hear you are having trouble with your application. For assistance, please contact the Energy Policy team at DEFA via email: energysave@gov.im or call: +44 1624 685149 or via Freephone: 0808 162 4276. If you would prefer to speak to someone in person you can do so at the following address:

Energy Policy Team,
DEFA,
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
IM4 3AS.

I have ordered the wrong items what should I do?

Please contact the Energy Save team at DEFA via email: energysave@gov.im or call: +44 1624 685149 or via Freephone: 0808 162 4276 and someone will be able to assist you with deleting your incorrect voucher and ordering a new one.

Loft insulation is not in the list of available items, how do I apply for it?

There is a separate application form for loft insulation which can be found on the online portal alongside the application for other energy efficiency items.

This item has been separated from the other energy efficiency items as applicants are eligible to receive the loft insulation via delivery from the supplier.

 

Voucher

I placed an order but I’ve lost my voucher, how can I retrieve this?

You can contact The Energy Policy Team at DEFA via email: energysave@gov.im or call: +44 1624 685149 or via Freephone: 0808 162 4276. They will be able to expire your existing voucher and reissue a new one.

I have ordered my items, how long do I have to redeem my voucher/collect my items?

Vouchers will have an expiry date. This date will be stated clearly on the voucher.

My voucher has expired but I still want the items, what do I need to do?

If your voucher expires and has not been redeemed, then you may be able to apply again and receive a new voucher. Alternatively, you can contact the Energy Policy Team who will be able to extend the expiry date.

Can I use the voucher for any other items?

No. The voucher can only be redeemed against the energy efficiency items applied for.

My voucher expired, the Energy Policy Team extended this but my voucher still includes the previous expiry date – will a depot or supplier accept this voucher?

Yes. When the depot or supplier scans this voucher it will contain the updated information.

 

Collection, Delivery and Returns

Where can I get these items from?

There are 2 options for collecting items. You can either collect from one of our depots or from a participating supplier.

Depots

The depots include:

  1. Welcome Centre and Get Online Centre at the Sea Terminal, Douglas
  2. Douglas Borough Council Housing Office at Douglas Town Hall
  3. Western Wellbeing Partnership, Derby Road, Peel, IM5 1HP
  4. Southern Wellbeing Centre, Thie Rosien, Four Roads, Port Erin, IM9 6BP
  5. Jurby Health and Community Centre, Jurby, IM7 3BB
  6. Ramsey Community Hub at Old Courthouse, Parliament St, IM8 1AR

There is a map on the online portal with further details for collection of items.

Suppliers

The list of participating suppliers will be included in the near future.

Can I collect all energy efficiency items from the depots and suppliers?

No.

Can someone else collect the items for me?

Yes, anyone can collect the items as long as they can display the voucher at the point of collection.

Can the items be delivered to my home?

Only loft insulation can be delivered to your home address, all other items must be collected. Please speak to the supplier directly in regards to deliver of loft insulation.

Can I return an item?

Yes, you can return any unwanted or unused items. Please note that they have no cash value and
will not be exchanged for other items, vouchers or money.

If you collected your item from a supplier, please return to the same supplier.

If you collected your item from a depot, please return to DEFA at the address below, or if this is not possible return to the depot who can arrange collection by DEFA.

Energy Policy Team,
DEFA,
Thie Slieau Whallian,
Foxdale Road,
St John’s,
IM4 3AS.

 

Installation of energy efficiency items

Who can support me with fitting these items?

Our Net Zero website is full of useful tips, guidance and videos to assist you with fitting the items you receive.

If you have applied for loft insulation, thermostatic radiator valves or a smart heating control then you may be eligible to apply for assistance in fitting these particular items. To apply for assistance in you must be in receipt of:

  1. Carer’s allowance
  2. Disability living allowance
  3. Short term incapacity benefit or long-term incapacity benefit
  4. War disablement pension and/or
  5. State pension

I have applied for assistance in fitting these items and my application has been approved. What is the next step?

You need to visit the Construction Isle of Man website, from here you will need to choose an appropriate company/profession and request them to install the items for you. You must present them with the voucher that will cover costs of up to £525 and the company will send the invoice onto us. If the cost is over £525 you will be liable to pay the difference.

I have received my items but can't find anyone available to fit them

We’re sorry to hear you are having trouble trying to find a professional through IOM Construction to fit your energy efficiency measures. These professionals are accredited and therefore may be more in demand. Please be patient and try and agree a date that may be a little longer wait than you had hoped for.

 

Other energy efficiency schemes

Can I apply for this scheme as well as other schemes?

You can, but not for the same items. For example, you cannot claim for loft insulation under more than one scheme, but a refund may be available (see below).

What is the difference between DEFA EES 2018 and 2022?

The DEFA EES 2018 scheme offered grants to a small number of eligible applicants. This scheme provides free energy efficiency measure to a much wider percentage of people as it has a wider eligibility criteria. The application process for this Scheme is also quicker allowing people to receive the items more efficiently. If you have already participated in the EES 2018 and are eligible under this scheme then you may be able to claim back any monies already paid out by yourself under the EES 2018, for items eligible under EES 2022, up to £800.

Is there an overlap between DfE GLGS and DEFA EES?

Yes, there is some crossover between the two schemes as some of the items available are the same. If you have already participated in the GLGS and are eligible under this scheme then you may be able to claim back any monies already paid out by yourself under the GLG scheme, for items eligible
under EES 2022, up to £800. Please be advised this will only be applicable if you fall under the eligibility criteria of this scheme.