There are a range of ways that your comfort and lifestyle can be improved, through a more energy efficient home. The great news is that you can easily finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding.
Read on to find out how.
A Harsh Reminder
During the autumn and winter months, we’re reminded by the bitter wind and relentless rain that a warm, comfortable home is invaluable.
Unfortunately for a lot of people, however, achieving this can feel impossible – their home is full of draughts, their boiler is old and barely functional, and the cost of any repairs or improvements seem insurmountable.
Thankfully, a large proportion of homeowners in the UK are able to finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding.
ECO4, or Energy Company Obligation, is a government energy efficiency scheme designed to help homeowners to cover the cost of energy-saving improvements, by obligating utility companies to provide financial assistance to lower income households.
The range of improvements available is wide and includes installation of:
- Loft and Cavity Wall Insulation
- Internal Wall Insulation
- Room-in-Roof Insulation
- Electric Storage Heaters
- Smart Heating Controls
- Non-Condensing to Condensing Boiler Upgrade
- Air Source Heat Pumps
- Solar Panels
The Benefits Of Carrying Out Eco-home Improvements
The most tangible and clear reason why you should finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding is that you’ll end up with a warmer, more comfortable home.
Who doesn’t want that?
There are many other benefits though.
Reduced Bills
Padding out your home with cavity wall and loft insulation, replacing draughty old windows and doors and upgrading your boiler all mean one thing: your house gets warmer quicker and stays warmer for longer – so your boiler doesn’t have to work so hard, burning more fuel and consuming more electricity.
Your monthly energy bills will be greatly reduced.
Lowered Environmental Impact
Tied into lowered fuel and electricity consumption is the reduction in greenhouse gases that heating your home produces – both at the boiler and the power station.
Reducing your carbon footprint gives you peace of mind that you’re doing your bit for the environment and, collectively, has a big impact on the local and global environment.
Health Benefits
A warm home doesn’t merely help you to feel cosy at night.
You’ll also see improvements in your health, as a warmer home with improved ventilation won’t suffer from damp or black mould, which can cause respiratory issues.
A warmer home can also lead to improved circulation, better sleep quality, and improved immune function – all contributing to an improved state of wellbeing.
7 Steps to finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 Funding
Taking advantage of the ability to finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding is a straightforward process.
- Eligibility Check
First, an eligibility check is carried out.
The checks are non-invasive, won’t affect your credit rating and can be done using a simple online form – you can find ours here.
These checks firstly verify that you are the homeowner or a private tenant.
After this, your basic household income, property type, current energy performance, current insulation and heating system, and geographical location are all assessed.
- Home Assessment
If you’re not sure already, you’ll have to accurately determine the existing types of insulation and boiler/heating system currently in place.
Knowing what to look for can be confusing, however, this is a service that we’re happy to provide – you can contact us here if you need help with this step.
- Choose Your Improvements
Once approved, you can choose which types of improvements you would like to install.
These are often determined by your type of house, for example older buildings may have solid walls, so cavity wall insulation is less likely to be an option.
Double glazed windows to replace draughty old single panes will make a big difference.
Replacing old windows, installing loft insulation, and upgrading inefficient boilers are all popular.
Again, you may find making this decision confusing, however, your chosen eco-home improvement installer will happily advise you on which changes will make the most difference.
- Installation Arrangement
Arrange an installation date with a certified professional.
It’s important to note that Air source heat pumps & Solar PV Can only be installed by approved MCS Installers and gas boilers by traders and firms who are listed on the Gas Safe Register and any firm working in ECO 4 has to meet PAS2030 Approved criteria, so make sure they have this accreditation before engaging with them.
By the way, not only can you finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding, but the installation is also often covered too.
So, the cost of improving your home heating and insulation may simply come down to a packet of biscuits and tea for the installers!
- Funding Application
Once you’ve determined the scope of home improvement works, and chosen a supplier, you must work with them to finance your eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding.
The installer or supplier (of the improvement materials and parts) will usually help you with this process, handling the paperwork, and ensuring compliance with the requirements of the funding scheme.
- Installation and Verification
Finally, you’re ready to have your ECO4 funded home improvements installed!
Once completed, the work will be checked to verify compliance with the standards set by the ECO4 scheme.
This may involve inspections or assessments – but don’t worry, if the work has been carried out by a reputable installer, you’ll sail through these.
- Reap the rewards
It’s now time to relax, sit back and enjoy the savings you’re making from spending less on electricity and gas each month.
You won’t have to wrap up in layers when leaving the bed each morning and you can forget about the draughts whistling down your neck while you try to watch your favourite TV programme on the sofa!
The Time Is Now
The ECO4 scheme is great news for low income households who suffer through the winter months with cold, draughty homes, which take ages to heat, lose the warmth quickly – and pay through the nose for the privilege.
With the high cost of living, it could be argued that this scheme should be available to middle-income households too – everyone is feeling the pinch, and this would assist the Government in reaching their environmental conservation targets – but that’s a topic for another day.
For now, though, if you think you may be eligible to finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding, there’s no time to lose.
The application process is free, quick, and there’s a finite amount of funding available.
Call us on 01924 820005 or email Eco@switchedon.info to find out whether you can finance eco-home improvements with ECO4 funding and enjoy a warmer, more comfortable home – and healthier bank balance – in no time.
