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Home Improvement Grants- Improve For FREE

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Home Improvement Grants- Improve For FREE

Home Improvement Grants

 

Home Improvement Grants- Improve For FREE

This is a government funded scheme known as the Energy Company Obligation (ECO) that large suppliers must follow to help low income households afford to make their homes energy efficient. The first ECO scheme launched in 2013 as is now at Eco 4 stage

Medium and larger energy suppliers fund the installation of energy efficiency measures in  low-income British households.

Home Improvement Grants  From Eco 4 will run from July 1  2022- 2026 and will cost £4 billion in total.

Under the scheme, suppliers with more than 150,000 customers are required to offer energy efficient home improvements

Each supplier has an overall target based on its share of the domestic energy market in Britain.

 

What Is Eco 4?

 

The  Eco 4 Scheme Has Been  Set Up To Meet Lower National Carbon Emissions To Improve The Environment In The UK.

By  Improving Energy Efficiency Through Various Heating & Insulation Upgrades To Homes, Britons Will  Save Money On Bills.

According To Recent Figures, More Than 3.1 Million Measures Have Been Fitted In Over 2.3 Million Homes.

For Eco 4 only homes ( home owned and private rented ) with an energy efficiency band of E to G will be eligible for grant funding.

This is so the funding will only be aimed at the worst insulated homes in the UK

The minimum requirement will be for F & G bands to be increased to D and for E & D bands to be increased to C.

For Social Housing and the Private Rented Sector (PRS), ECO 4 will support the least efficient homes in bands E to G only.

You can make lots of money saving improvements to your home heating and insulation for FREE if you meet the new criteria.

Who provides Grant funding For Free Improvements?

The cost is met by the major energy suppliers known as the “Big Six.”

The big six are British Gas, Scottish Power, EDF, SSE, E.ON and NPower.

The government has obligated these companies to provide money for grants to improve the energy ratings of millions of properties throughout the country.

The latest version of the scheme focuses on lower-income families and people with inefficient heating like electric heaters, oil boilers and LPG central heating. Many of these properties are in rural locations.

You do not have to be signed up with one of these energy suppliers to receive an ECO grant. As long as you are a domestic electricity user in Scotland any one of these providers can carry out the work required in your home.

 

What Is The Aim of Eco4 ?

This initiative aims to make energy-efficient improvements accessible to households, reducing both carbon emissions and energy bills.

Under ECO 4, eligible households can benefit from free upgrades such as solar panels, air source heat pumps, insulation or boiler replacements.

Heating & Insulation grants worth many millions have been given out over the last 8 years and have helped many low income households with free upgrades.

The ECO4 Grant scheme for 2023 will focus on the upgrade of heating and insulation in order to improve the home current EPC rating.

All Eco4 Grants will only be available for those on means tested benefits in the UK.

 

Who is eligible for a Home Improvement Grant?

To qualify for an Eco 4 Grant you must satisfy the criteria below:

  1. Be a resident at the property and receive a qualifying benefit or be on a low income   ( BELOW 30000 )
  2. Be a home owner or private tenant
  3. Have old heating and insulation that needs upgrading.

4- Your property must be in EPC Band E -F-G

  • Live in a property with high energy costs (as defined by Ofgem), typically those using electric heating or off-grid gas heating like oil and LPG boilers

 

How To Apply For An Eco 4 Grant

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

Eco 4 Grant Scheme – What Eco 4 Measures Are Available ?

Eco 4 Grants Gov Uk – Qualifying Benefits

  • Child Benefit
  • Child & Working Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Employment & Support Allowance
  • Job Seekers Allowance
  • Pension Credit – Guarantee
  • Universal Credit

 

Child Benefit Income Threshholds

Type of Claimant  –                Number Of Qualifying Children

                                                  1                  2 –          3      –     4 or more

Single Claimant                       1 9800  –  24600 –   29400      –  34200

Member Of A Couple             27300   –  32 100  –  36900    –  41700

 

Why Apply For A  Grant ?

✅ There Is No Catch – We Guarantee it !

✅  If Your Application Is Accepted  Your Grant Is 100% FREE

✅ You Will Reduce Your Energy Bills By Up To £300 Per Year

✅   You Will Add Lots Of Value To Your Home

✅ The Scheme Has Limited Funding – Ends Soon

How To Apply For An Eco 4 Grant

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

You Qualify If You:

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

Have a Non Condensing  Boiler  Over 18 Years Old  OR  Have A Back Boiler Behind The Fire

✅  Are A Home Owner In Receipt Of A Benefit

 

 Free Central Heating 2023

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You Qualify If You:

  Have Not Had Central Heating Fitted  In The Past

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

Have a Gas  Meter Fitted Before April 2022

✅  Are A Home Owner / Private Tenant / ( Landlord that has a Resident In Receipt Of A Benefit)

 

Free Storage Heaters 2023

At Present Old Storage Heaters are being replaced for Central Heating / Heat Pumps / Free Solar.

( Subject to property type )

You Qualify If You:

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

Have Old Storage Heaters Fitted

✅  Are A Home Owner In Receipt Of A Benefit

 

Free Insulation 2023

You Qualify If You:

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

Have Off Gas Heating

✅ Are A Home Owner / Private Tenant / Landlord that has a Resident In Receipt Of A Benefit

  No Gas Boiler Heated Homes Accepted

Landlords Grants 2023

You Qualify If You:

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

✅  Do Not  Have a Mains Gas  Boiler Fitted

✅  Have A Tenant In Receipt Of A Benefit

✅  Have All Insulation  Measures Needed To Increase EPC Rating To A C or D

 

 

Free Solid Wall Insulation Grants 2023

You Qualify If You:

  Have A Home EPC Of  E – F- G

  Have First Time Central Heating Fitted or OFF Gas Heating

✅  Are A Home Owner / Tenant  In Receipt Of A Benefit

Free Heat Pumps

People who wish to upgrade their old boiler to a new heat pump will be given £5000 grant from the government to subsidise it.

This should mean that all applicants will only pay £4000 contribution approx towards it.

Half price in other words.

Not finalised yet but figures are thought to be around this.

This will be very popular and probably over subscribes with many applications failing.

How To Apply For An Eco 4 Grant

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

 

Are There Eco 4 Grants For Wales?

Yes.  Wales & Scotland are both eligible for the Eco 4 Grant Scheme. We have installers all over the UK so are Accepting applications form both areas.

Please take a short survey indicating the grant of your choice.

WHAT IS ECO4 SCHEME ELIGIBILITY?

The  New ECO4 Scheme Eligibility For Free Heating & Insulation Grants Is Dependent On The Current EPC Rating Of Your Existing Property.

To Be Eligible For The  ECO4 Scheme,  Your Property Will  Need To Be EPC Grade E, F Or G.

The Government Are Now Only Giving Eco 4 Grants To The Worst Rated Properties ( E – F- G )

Properties Rated A- D Are Not Eligible Regardless Of Circumstances So Please Do Not Apply If Your Home Is So Rated

 

Eco 4 Grants  – Add Value To Your Home

Making improvements to your heating and insulation will greatly increase the perceived value of a house.

With ever rising heating bills, a well insulated house and new heating is also another well sought out thing when it comes to buying a house.

Check if you are eligible for Government funded grants before you splash out on any home improvement measures .

  • increase your home comforts and enjoyment of your home
  • reduce your energy usage
  • improve your Home Epc Rating
  • Add value to your home

What Will Happen For Eco 4

ECO4 will based on properties meeting the Minimum Requirement (MR) .

To achieve this, you will need to  improve a property’s SAP score sufficiently to achieve an  increase in the EPC Band from F or G to an E or from D or E to a C.

This can only be done with a multi measure approach to all grant applicants.

This will mean that you will no longer be able to offer a single measure for loft or cavity insulation and that homes will need to  fully insulate their home (where needed ) to qualify for the grant scheme.

 

EPC Bands

Government will mandate minimum energy efficiency improvements requiring Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band F and G homes to be improved to a minimum Band D .

a Band D and E homes to be improved to a minimum Band C, contributing to our statutory fuel poverty target and interim milestone.

To make greater progress on upgrading the least energy efficient homes, there is a minimum target of upgrading 150,000 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Band E, F and G private tenure homes.

This will ensure the least energy efficient homes are not left behind.

 

Will You Have To Pay Back The  Eco 4 Grant In The Future

NO. If you are awarded a  home improvement grant under the government eco scheme, you will not have to repay anything back in the future, even if you move home.

Funding has been set aside by the Big Energy Companies who raise this money by a levy on all UK fuel bills. This levy is approx £29 per year which is paid by all utility users.

Do not feel guilty as in effect they are only giving you your money back!

The grant and warranty will be awarded free of charge as long as you meet the very strict criteria.

 

How To Apply For Free Grants

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

 

Grants For A New Roof

There are not any grants for new roofs!

If you do a google search you will get lots results for “Grants For new roofs” but that is all you will get.

These companies will trick you into having  a free survey in order to get through the door and then work on you until you agree to have the roof work done with them.

Whether they do is a reduced rate I dont know but dont be fooled into thinking that you will get a grant for your roof as there are none available

No. Very unlikely to have any roofing grants in the future.

Roofs dont save any carbon so will not be part of any scheme.

Eco 4 Funding – The Main Focus.

  • A minimum target of improving 150,000 private tenure homes in E, F & G bands to a minimum target of D.
  • A solid wall minimum target of 90,000 solid wall measures over the 4-year scheme,- includes both internal wall and external wall insulation.
  • To get first time central heating, you will be required to have solid wall insulation, or cavity wall insulation.
  •  No  replacement or installation of Oil or LPG tanks.
  • 35% off-gas rural uplift for Scotland and Wales.
  • LA-Flex increased to 50% for energy companies. This is a new scheme to  target households on low incomes, but not in receipt of benefits.

Will All Heating Grants Be Free For Eco 4?

Money to install the heating and insulation measures  are sourced through the scheme and its grants, so you won’t have to pay out to cover our costs during the process apart from Heat Pumps which require a large contribution

This allows you to get your brand new boiler and most insulation measures  totally free of charge.

 

How To Apply For Free Grants

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

 

Heating Repairs To Boilers & Storage Heaters

Under the scheme, support for repairs and replacements of broken gas and electric storage heating systems will be limited to 5,000 homes per year.

The repair of inefficient oil and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) systems will be permitted as a last resort where renewable heating cannot be installed.

This will ensure measures installed under ECO4 align with the Government’s Heat and Buildings Strategy and net zero targets.

 

No Benefits ? Try LA FLEX SCHEMES

Up to 50% of a supplier’s obligation may be delivered under the reformed Flexible Eligibility mechanism (ECO4 Flex), an increase from 25% under the previous scheme.

ECO4 Flex enables local authorities, the Scottish and Welsh Governments and energy suppliers to target and refer other low-income households who may not be in receipt of means tested benefits. The criteria usually asks for income below £31k and you have one or more heath conditions etc.

At the time of writing most people not in receipt of a benefit are not being accepted for a grant.

This is because the scheme ids not live and councils are dragging their feet with this scheme with only a handful actually accepting applications.

 

How To Apply For An Eco 4 Grant

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

What Is The Great British Insulation Scheme?

The Great British Insulation Scheme ( formerly known as ECO+ )  is aimed at improving the UK’s least energy-efficient homes.

  • All Households with an EPC rating of D -E – F- -G and in the lower Council Tax bands A-B-C-D  area can apply for the scheme without needing to be on benefits.
  • The scheme will run from August 2023 until March 2026.
  • It is hoped that all applicants will save up to £400 a year on energy bills with this free government grant.

ECO Plus Scheme Rebranded

The ECO Plus scheme was to be the next phase of the Energy Company Obligation Scheme.

It has now been rebranded as The Great British Insulation Scheme to encourage more take of the new scheme.

The idea of ECO+ is to  extend the support offered by the existing ECO4 Scheme, and include people not on benefits to upgrade their heating & insulation.

As all disabled benefits have been removed from the Eco 4 Scheme, this grant is very welcome.

 

Great British Insulation Scheme- How Much Funding Is Available?

£1 billion grant funding is being targeted at homes with a low energy efficiency rating in lower Council Tax band areas.

This grant will cover up to 75% of costs of installation of energy efficient measures.

Through this scheme, over 300,000 homes could upgrade their insulation at a minimal cost.

 

Free Heating Insulation Check1

 

Eco + – Low EPC Ratings only.

Only homes with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below, and in the lower Council Tax Bands will be eligible for funding.

Currently, 46% of homes in the UK have an EPC rating of C or above.

This means that 54% of the UK’s homes will be eligible for the Scheme.

The Great British Insulation Scheme is aimed at low income households that are not eligible for the ECO4 scheme due to they not claiming a qualifying benefit.

Who Can Apply For The Great British Insulation Scheme?

To apply for the Great British Insulation Scheme you must:

  • Be living in a home with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of D or below.
  • Be living in a home that falls within Council Tax bands A-D in England or A-E in Scotland and Wales.

You can only receive a single insulation measure and a contribution will be required towards installation costs.

What Grants Will Be Available On The Great British Insulation Scheme ?

Each household is expected to be able to claim £1,500 towards the cost of energy efficiency measures.

These include:

  • Park home insulation
  • Internal and External solid wall insulation
  • Loft insulation
  • Room in roof insulation
  • Underfloor insulation
  • Cavity wall insulation
  • Solid floor insulation
  • Under floor insulation
  • Pitched roof insulation
  • Flat roof insulation

Great British Insulation Scheme- FAQS

Why the change of name from ECO Plus to the Great British Insulation Scheme?

The Government says this is to help with consumer recognition and also to indicate that this purely an insulation scheme that does not include heating .

The exception will be heating controls which will be the only other eligible measure beyond insulation.

 

Free Heating Insulation Check1

 

When does GBIS begin and how much is it worth?

The scheme is expected to start in August September 2023

The scheme will run from 2023 to 2026 with anticipated spend of £1 billion in total which will improve around 300,000 homes.

The homes are expected to save £300-400 a year on average.

GBIS is much more about the installation of single measures, rather than ECO4’s focus on more comprehensive upgrades to homes, and there will be no requirement to improve homes by a set number of EPC bands. In a change to the consultation, it no longer needs to be demonstrated that low-income homes cannot meet the Minimum Requirements of ECO4 in order to be eligible for GBIS.

 

Who will be eligible under the GBIS?

GBIS will target two groups.

Group 1 – 20% of the scheme will be directed to a ‘low-income group’ who are living in EPC E-G rated homes that cannot apply under Eco 4 due to  their property’s physical condition.

Group 2-  consist of those living in homes with an EPC rating D-G and within Council Tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales.

 

Will there be Flex component?

Yes. Up to 80% of the 20% for the low-income group can be delivered through GBIS flexible eligibility with households targeted that do not meet the ECO4 eligibility requirements, but who are nevertheless fuel poor, and others because of vulnerability to the cold.

Use of Flex will be unlimited in the second group.

 

What about the private rented sector and social housing?

For the private rented sector, only homes in EPC bands D and E will be eligible across either GBIS group.

No PRS  households will be eligible for heating controls.

Social housing will be eligible where it has an EPC band of D-G.

 

 Will there be a rural uplift?

In Scotland and Wales, all low-income group off-gas households living in rural areas will receive a 20% uplift to the score given to each measure.

There will be no equivalent uplift in England on the grounds that 60% of the Home Upgrade Grant is ring-fenced for rural delivery.

 

Does receiving support under GBIS exclude a property from benefitting from ECO4 in future?

No. E-G properties will in future be able to receive ECO4 for different measures (blending GBIS with funding from other schemes for the same measure remains prohibited). This also works in reverse (ECO4 followed by GBIS). Households can only access GBIS once.

 

Will households have to contribute to the costs of work?

The low-income group will not pay anything.

Householders in the general group will  need to pay a contribution for the highest cost measures.

Free Heating Insulation Check1

The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) and ECO4 are designed to help private homeowners take a step towards a greener future.

These initiatives are designed to make energy efficiency improvements more affordable and accessible, reducing both our carbon footprint and energy bills.

However… it’s important to prioritise measures that matter.

Insulation is one of the most effective ways to save energy at home. By improving your home’s insulation, you can keep your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, reducing the need for heating and air conditioning. This not only lowers your energy consumption but also significantly cuts down your energy bills.

ECO4, the latest phase of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), is particularly focused on helping low-income households. It’s a government energy efficiency scheme in Great Britain, obliging larger suppliers to deliver energy efficiency measures to domestic premises, with a focus on heating and insulation measures.

Underfloor insulation is a smart choice, second to topping up your loft, for getting the most out of your energy rating increase. It’s quick. Non Intrusive when used with robotic technology too!

So, if you’re a homeowner looking to make sustainable choices that benefit both the environment and your wallet, then insulation is worth exploring as your first step towards being energy efficient and warmer too!

What does the ECO4 scheme cover?

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation is a type of insulation used to improve the energy efficiency of a building by reducing heat loss. Insulation material (normally polystyrene beads in Scotland) is placed in between the inner and outer layers of your walls. This type insulation is waterproof and is approximately 99% air. This helps maintain ventilation.

Cavity walls were introduced in the UK in the 1930s and consist of two layers of brick or block with a gap, or cavity, of around 50mm between them. This gap was initially intended to prevent moisture from penetrating the inner walls but it was discovered that it also acts as a barrier to heat transfer. The insulation is injected into the cavity through small holes drilled into the outer wall, and then the holes are filled and finished to match the surrounding brickwork.

Cavity wall insulation helps to prevent heat loss from the building and can reduce energy bills and carbon emissions. It should be noted that not all properties are suitable for cavity wall insulation, and it is important to consult with a qualified energy assessor before installing CWI.

 

Solid Wall Insulation

For older properties which are not of a cavity construction type, solid wall insulation is a viable alternative. Internal wall insulation involves adding insulation to the inside surface of external walls of a building. This is done to improve the energy efficiency of a building and reduce heat loss through the walls.

The insulation material is typically fixed to the inner surface of the wall and then covered with a plasterboard finish. This approach can be particularly useful in buildings where external insulation is not possible, such as those in conservation areas or buildings with listed status.

 

Roof Insulation

Around 25% of the heat you generate with your boiler and central heating system is lost through your attic and roof.

ECO4 grants cover the cost of topping up your loft insulation with mineral wool fibre to the recommended level of 270mm. This is the depth that building regulations advice is the minimim for preventing heat loss.

For buildings which have rooms in their roofs, the process is similar to having internal wall insulation installed. Insulation boards are fixed to the surface of the upright stud walls, the sloping walls and flat ceilings if the loft is not accessible. Insulation is also fixed to the gable walls and dormer window ceilings where necessary.

This creates a sealed thermal unit in your roof and prevents heat escaping. ECO grants cover the cost of room in roof installation and all materials.

 

Solar Panels

Solar panels are becoming an increasingly popular renewable energy choice. Solar PV panels allow you to generate your own cheap, green electricity, enabling you to be more energy independent as you become less reliant on the electricity grid.

Solar PV panels absorb light from the sun and convert it via an invertor to provide electricity to power your home appliances. Solar electricity systems can help reduce heating bills by up to 60%. Any solar install under the ECO grant scheme in Scotland is supplied and fitted completely free of charge. You don’t have to pay any money back, even if you move home.

 

Air Source Heat Pumps

Air source heat pumps are a new type of renewable heating system which will replace traditional boilers. They are extremely energy efficient and environmentally friendly because they do not burn a fuel source like gas or oil. They work by absorbing moisture from the air and compressing it to generate heat for your hot water and central heating. They are powered by electricity and when installed with a solar panel system can lead to a huge reduction on your energy bills.

Upgraded Heating Controls

ECO4 grants also cover the cost of installing modern heating controls in your home. This may be a room thermostat or TTZC (time and temperature zone control) or a smart thermostat. Heating controls enable you to monitor and regulate the temperature throughout your house. They allow you to provide more or less heat depending on how often you use each room.

Eco 4 Will Improve Your EPC Rating 

Copy of Home Improvement 3

The Eco 4 Scheme is a great opportunity for all home owners  on benefits to improve their home EPC rating.

Your EPC Certificate will tell buyers how well insulated your home is and  having a rating of C or D is very desirable at the moment .

The worst homes are rated F & G and will cost a bomb to run over the winter.

 

How Much Will Eco 4 Grants Cost ?

1 billion £ per year has been earmarked to be spent for the next 4 years on improvements to reduce the UK carbon footprint and reduce energy costs for the most vulnerable people who are on a low income.

This is an increase in funding for the previous schemes of around 25 % to show the UK commitment to carbon zero targets.

ECO 4 will be a PAS (Publicly Available Specification) led fabric first approach, therefore compliance with PAS 2030 and PAS2035 will be required.

To learn more about the New Eco 4 Scheme please visit the Ofgem Website

 

How To Apply For Free Grants

Copy of Copy of Free Air Source Heat Pump

 

Are There Grants For Park Homes  In  Eco 4?

We are waiting to hear from the government about grants for park homes.

Please see our post here.

 

Are There Grants For Disabled ?

Yes.  Disabled people should check out the  below sites for details

The Disabled Facilities Grant

Disability Grants for Home Improvements & Repairs

There are no Eco 4 Grants at the moment for disabled people sorry.

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