Could You Get a Free Appliance? Here’s How the LEAP Appliance Scheme Can Help

Is your fridge getting old? Has your freezer seen better days? Or could a more energy-efficient appliance help bring your energy bills down? You may not have to pay for a replacement yourself.

Through the LEAP Appliance Scheme, eligible households could receive a FREE energy-efficient appliance to replace an old or inefficient one.

And it all starts with a free home energy visit.

Green Energy Switch delivers LEAP (Local Energy Advice Partnership) across Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire and Rutland. In partnership with Peterborough City Council, South Cambridgeshire District Council, and Rutland County Council.

What is the Local Energy Advice Partnership (LEAP)?

LEAP is a completely free home energy support service designed to help households save money, reduce their energy use and make their homes warmer and more comfortable.

During a free home energy visit, an advisor will look at your individual circumstances and see where LEAP could help. This could include free energy-saving measures, help with energy bills and debt, benefit and income checks, advice on your energy tariff, and referrals to other financial support and schemes.

One of those schemes is the LEAP Appliance Scheme.

What is the LEAP Appliance Scheme?

The LEAP Appliance Scheme is a replacement scheme. The objective is to swap out old, inefficient white goods with modern, energy-saving alternatives, completely free of charge.

Why does that matter?

Older appliances can use more electricity than newer, energy-efficient models. So, if you’ve got an old fridge or freezer running 24 hours a day, replacing it could help reduce the amount of electricity your household uses.

If an appliance is approved for replacement, LEAP can arrange for the new appliance to be delivered and installed where required, as well as taking the old one away for disposal.

There’s no cost to the household for an approved replacement.

What free appliances are available through scheme?

The appliances available through the LEAP Appliance Scheme can change depending on stock and the time of year.

They can include:

Small Fridge Freezers
Family Fridge Freezers
Undercounter Fridges
Undercounter Freezers
Medium Air Fryers
Large Air Fryers
Medium Slow Cookers
Large Slow Cookers

Winter Only
Heated Clothes Airers
Dehumidifiers (only available where a heated airer has already been provided)
Heated Throws (only available to single occupants)

View the full range of appliances here

All appliances are subject to stock availability. LEAP are unable to replace cookers or
washing machines.

Who is eligible and how can the scheme be accessed?

To access the LEAP Appliance Scheme, the first step is a free home energy visit.

You will usually qualify for a free home visit if you receive a means-tested benefit or your total household income is less than £31,000 a year.

During the visit, your LEAP Home Energy Advisor can look at any old, broken or inefficient appliances in your home and check whether they could be replaced through the Appliance Scheme. If you meet the relevant criteria and a suitable appliance is available, your advisor can then refer you for a free replacement.

You can’t apply directly for a free appliance, so you’ll need to book your free home energy visit first.

Green Energy Switch delivers LEAP home energy visits locally across:

• Peterborough
• South Cambridgeshire
• Rutland

Live somewhere else? LEAP also operates in other parts of the UK through different local delivery partners. You can check whether LEAP is available in your area through the national LEAP website.

LEAP is not just about free appliances

During a LEAP home energy visit, an advisor looks at the whole household, not just the appliance.

Depending on your circumstances, LEAP could also help with:

• Energy bills and energy debt
• Checking your energy tariff
• Free energy-saving measures for your home
• Benefits and income checks
• Finding additional grants and financial support
• Advice on keeping your home warmer and more energy efficient
• Referrals to other support you may be entitled to

So even if you don’t qualify for a replacement appliance, the visit could still uncover other ways to maximise your income as well as save money.

Apply for a free LEAP home energy visit now

If you live in Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire or Rutland, apply for your FREE LEAP home energy visit today to access the LEAP Appliance Scheme.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a free fridge or freezer through LEAP?

Possibly! If you have an old, broken or inefficient fridge, freezer or fridge freezer, a LEAP Home Energy Advisor can assess it during your free home energy visit. If you meet the relevant criteria and a suitable appliance is available, you may then be referred to the LEAP Appliance Scheme for a free replacement. But you can’t apply directly for a free appliance as the home energy visit needs to happen first.

Can I get a free dehumidifier for damp and mould?

During the winter months, dehumidifiers may also be available through the LEAP Appliance Scheme for eligible households. A dehumidifier can help remove excess moisture from the air, which may be useful in homes experiencing condensation, damp or mould. However, it won’t solve every damp or mould problem, particularly where there are issues such as leaks, poor insulation or inadequate ventilation. A LEAP Home Energy Advisor can look at what’s happening in your home and offer practical advice on keeping it warmer and managing moisture and energy use.

What help can I get with appliances if I’m on Universal Credit?

If you receive Universal Credit, you may be eligible for a free LEAP home energy visit and could potentially be referred to the LEAP Appliance Scheme. Depending on your circumstances, this could include help replacing an old, broken or inefficient appliance with a newer, more energy-efficient model.

Can I get a free air fryer or slow cooker through LEAP?

Air fryers and slow cookers are among the appliances that may be available through the LEAP Appliance Scheme. You’ll need to have a free LEAP home energy visit first. Your advisor can then check whether you meet the criteria for the Appliance Scheme and what support is currently available.

Do I need to be on benefits to get a free appliance?

Not necessarily. You may qualify for a free LEAP home energy visit if you receive certain means-tested benefits or if your total household income is below £31,000 a year. Eligibility for an appliance replacement is then assessed separately during your LEAP visit.

Can I apply directly for a free appliance?

No. You need to have a free LEAP home energy visit first. During the visit, your Home Energy Advisor will look at your circumstances and any appliances you’re concerned about. If you meet the relevant criteria, they can refer you to the Appliance Scheme.

Is the LEAP Appliance Scheme really free?

Yes. If you’re eligible and approved for an appliance replacement, there is no cost to you for the replacement appliance. All appliances are subject to eligibility and availability, so a particular appliance or model can’t be guaranteed.

Is the LEAP Appliance Scheme available in Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire and Rutland?

Yes! Green Energy Switch delivers LEAP home energy visits across Peterborough, South Cambridgeshire and Rutland. If you live in one of these areas, you can apply through Green Energy Switch for a free home energy visit and find out what support you could be eligible for. If you live elsewhere in the UK, LEAP may still be available through another local delivery partner.