Grant funding is being offered to farmers across the south west to help reduce the heating and energy costs on their farms.

Grants of up to £10,000 are available for farmers to upgrade their existing heating system and insulation or, in some cases, to put towards the cost of installing a new central heating system, to help make their homes warmer in winter.

The heating grants are available for owners, tenants and landlords of farm houses and can also be provided for static caravans sited on farm land. They are available in the case of a person living on the farm that receives an income related benefit such as pension guarantee credit, income support or tax credits. Farmers on a low income or who suffer a long-term illness may also be eligible for the grants through an initiative run by certain Devon local authorities and Cornwall Council.

Farmers who are not on benefit or a low income can still take advantage of the funding if they have two or more properties that can be connected to the same heating system. In this instance, the grants are available regardless of income and can be used to install or upgrade heating systems in multiple farm cottages, or even a home with an annexe.

The grants are paid for by energy suppliers through the government’s Help to Heat scheme and are currently being offered by energy saving grant company Happy Energy.