We have been looking into the various grants and schemes available for homeowners and tenants looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency. The good news is there are a few options, and there is financial support available to get insulation upgraded in your home, or smart heating controls to better make use of your heating. The bad news is it can be hard to navigate. So, we offer what guidance we have to get started.
Great British Insulation Scheme
A lot of grants are means-tested, but the Great British Insulation Scheme is not. To qualify you simply need to be Council Tax Band D or lower (which may Kinver homes are) and have an EPC rating of D or worse. If you don’t have a current EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) then they can estimate from similar properties in the vicinity by looking at recent sales.
If you do qualify you will be able to claim for one of the following measures, based on what they deem to be most cost-effective:
- Heating controls
- Loft insulation (provided less than 100 mm present already)
- Room-in-roof insulation
- Cavity wall insulation (usually only applies to homes before ca 1980)
- Solid wall insulation
- Floor insulation
Funding for some measures will cover the full cost. In the case of solid wall insulation, it may only be partial as the cost-to-benefit ratio is higher. Note that not all providers will offer the same measures.
So who are the providers? You have a few options.
- RES – Residential Energy Services
This service has been set up with the very purpose of helping people access funding for retrofit energy improvement schemes. They are new, but keen to do some test cases in Kinver and we have had word from one resident who has already accessed the scheme with success. Check out their site, or if you prefer ring 0333 4441 265 for help. - Government/your energy provider
The form is simple and there is a good helpline, but they will send you to your energy provider to whom they will supply funding. You may be able to access your energy provider’s form as quickly and easily, so check your account (we know Ovo does it through the app). Your energy company should then contact you within two weeks. If you need help, ring 0800 098 7950. - Community Home Solutions
This group is working with Staffs council and will also guide you to access the scheme. We have noted that they may not provide solid wall insulation, so if that is your priority try the other routes. They also have a helpline though: 0115 718 1822.
For all of these providers, the approach is very much the same. They check you qualify (by checking your tax band and EPC), then arrange an assessment. At this point they suggest what measures and installers would be best. They then cover the payment if it is fully funded, or work with you and your installer for part-funded options. Don’t be put off by questions about income and benefits: this is to check if you qualify for further funding.
Note that they don’t have to provide you with any solutions if they are not suitable. In some cases, it may not be cost-effective to make changes.
The most popular measures have been cavity-wall insulation and optimised heating controls. The scheme runs until 2026 so applying soon is recommended.
Eco4 Scheme for those on benefits
If you are on benefits, the Energy Company Obligation Scheme can provide whole-house insulation for owners and tenants. We have little information on what this looks like and would love to hear from those who have used the scheme.
What we do know is there are several sources to see if you are eligible including the Warmer Homes Scheme and Beat the Cold. If you think you could benefit get in touch with them, or ring Beat the Cold on 01782 914 915 to find out more.
Let us know how you get on
We have asked a few members of our group to apply to the above schemes so we can feedback on how easy it is to apply and what you get. However, we welcome input from the community and want to know if you have used the schemes to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Contact us to let us know.