Age UK HandyVan Service offer a unique HandyVan home support service to help you feel safer in your home. Their trained fitters can offer a variety of services from changing locks on doors and windows to installing security equipment. If you wish to apply you must be 60 years of age or over, your disposable savings/assets must not exceed £20,000 and a HandyVans must operate in your area. For further information:

• Telephone: 0845 026 1055
• Email: handyvan@ageuk.co.uk

The Kirklees Council Boiler Scrappage Scheme offers householders a £400 voucher towards the cost of replacing their old G rated boiler to a more energy efficient A rated condensing boiler. To qualify for the voucher the boiler must be certified G rated by a registered engineer and it must be the main source of heating and/or hot water for the home.

• Telephone: 01484 234000
• Email: funding@kirklees.gov.uk

• Boiler Efficiency Ratings (external site)

The Energy Help Loan is available to help householders invest in a wide range of energy saving products. The loan is interest free, repayable over 4 years and is available to households who have an income of less than £35,000. An 8% administration fee applies and a credit check will be carried out. To find out more information contact Yorkshire Energy Services on:

• Telephone: 0800 052 7496
• Website: Yorkshire Energy Services (external site)

Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) give information on how to make your home more energy efficient and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. All homes bought, sold or rented require an EPC.

You should receive an EPC when you are thinking about buying or renting a home. You'll need to provide one if you are selling or letting your home.

If you are a landlord or homeowner and need to provide an EPC, you'll need to contact an accredited domestic energy assessor. They will carry out the assessment and produce the certificate.

More information:

• Getting an Energy Performance Certificate (external site)

Kirklees Council are currently offering FREE cavity wall and loft insulation to suitable households that did not benefit from the Kirklees Warm Zone scheme. For further information:

• Contact Private Sector Housing

Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing provide housing management and maintenance services to the council's 23,400 homes. They offer help and advice about a range of topics, including paying rent, finding a home, energy efficiency, and tenancy agreements.

• Telephone: 01484 416400
• Website: Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing (external site)

Mears Home Improvements-Kirklees is funded by Kirklees Council to help assist vulnerable people to live independently in their own home. Mears also help hospital patients return home to a safer environment.

The Handyperson Service, the Gas Service and the Handrail Service are free to people who are referred to Mears by a hospital professional. It is also free to people over 60 who receive either Council Tax Benefit or Pension Credit. Those who receive Disability Living Allowance, Homecare or Attendance Allowance will receive the Handyperson labour for free. Mears can still assist people who do not receive benefits however there will be a small fee for labour and materials. For further information:

• Telephone: 0800 032 4483
• About Mears Home Improvements-Kirklees

Private Sector Housing provides help to homeowners and tenants in privately rented houses to live in reasonable conditions. They can offer advice and assistance to owner occupiers to maintain their homes to a decent standard. They also help private tenants who are being harassed or threatened with illegal eviction.

• Contact Private Sector Housing
• About private sector housing

The government's funded scheme Warm Front provides grants to make your home warmer, healthier and more energy efficient.

To be eligible for the grant you must:

• Occupy a private sector dwelling with an energy efficiency rating of SAP (Standard Assessment Procedure) 55 or below and
• Receive one of a range of means tested benefits and
• Be vulnerable on grounds of age (over 60 or with a child under 5) or with some form of disability.

Householders can apply by:

• Freephone: 0800 316 2814
• Website: Heating and insulation improvements from the Warm Front scheme (external site)