How do I get a grant for insulation?
Can I really get a grant for loft insulation and the like or is it just another hopeless quest? Over the last few years there has been an immense drive in publicising the significance of energy efficiency, not just in Europe but also numerous worldwide campaigns. A very recently published documentary follows the highly respected actor, film producer and United Nations climate ambassador Leonardo DiCaprio on a quest for an immediate halt in climate change. The short film around 1 hour 36m long follows DiCaprio around the world staring face to face with the real world effects that global warming is having on our planet. The film ‘Before the Flood’ which has been nominated for several awards can be streamed for free online via the Nation Geographic Channel.
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Leonardo Dicaprio - UN ambassador-for-climate-change[/caption]
The growing unease relating to carbon emissions had prompted the UK government in early 2013 to put in to place the Energy Company Obligation scheme also known as the ECO scheme. The ECO scheme in essence is aimed to help tackle fuel poverty by implementing greater energy efficiency within the home. The scheme is funded via energy companies who are obligated by the government to predominately enhance insulation by supporting vulnerable consumers with the objective to reducing their heating bill. Depending on an energy companies share of the market they have a percentage objective to assist with in subsidising these installation measures from their own pouch.
While you may be thinking there is no such thing as a free lunch, countless home have taken advantage from free insulation, boilers and even double glazing provided by the scheme. If your keen to check if you are eligible to obtain a grant for your property then you had better be prompt about it since the ECO scheme is due to cease in March 2017. Having said that It is however under review nevertheless with the ‘Brexit’ saga soon coming into fruition, your guess is as good as ours whether it will be continued.
How do I apply for the ECO scheme?
During our own findings via Ofgems website we soon became aware of the challenging and uneasy process it had become to check our own eligibility for a grant. Following this we visited Npower's website, our current energy supplier where we were easily able to check our eligibility online in under 5 minutes by answering a handful of questions. We decided to check the other big six suppliers:
E-on & SSE - Have a similarly quick online eligibility check to that of Npower which you can swiftly conclude by visiting their website.
British Gas & Scottish power - Is currently closed to any new applicants of it’s ECO scheme.
EDF - Don’t appear to have an online application form however they both confirmed from a quick telephone call that they are at present still accepting applicants.
In essence the ECO scheme is determined firstly by your income, your catchment area and finally the type of property that you reside in. Whats important I may add is that you don’t necessary need to be a customer to any of the energy suppliers above in order to claim the ECO scheme. This is owing to the fact that the energy companies involved have firm objectives that they must fulfil to avoid facing significant fines. For this reason most will take on applications regardless of whom your current supplier is.
Should I be sceptical over the ECO scheme?
e mostly from reputable companies, free funding created a whirlwind for cowboy fitters to snowball as subcontractors. The latter more undesirable fitters commonly carry out an inferior task together with skimping as much as possible allowing them to line there pockets with as much money as conceivable. There have also been cases whereby installers have generated hidden charges not included within the grant. If in doubt always ask about any hidden charges before concluding on your chosen installer. The greatest concern that has arisen through the ECO scheme is the cavity wall insulation outrage which is predicted to rival that of the well documented PPI scandal. The unscrupulous installation became apparent when homes were provided with free CWI (cavity wall insulation) in defiance of the fact that it was an unsuitable material for this type of insulation. Properties that are prone to velocity rain are mostly effected due to the insulation forming a bridge across the outer and inner wall. This in turn acts as a gutter, channelling rain water into a property thus creating damp and mould complications. The issues surrounding CWI have been ongoing for several years now and have even formed a Cavity Insulation Victims Alliance whom have campaigned for greater regulation and responsibility from the industry. Despite the fact that many of the free insulation campaigns were promoted as being government backed and while they were indeed government led, all the funding was in truth funded by the energy suppliers. For this reason the government can be held unaccountable for the losses.
So is the ECO scheme still worth pursuing?
Despite the issue being widely recognised anyone considering applying for an ECO grant should nevertheless remain a touch cautious. While many have benefited immensely from the generous ECO scheme which will certainly help reduce their energy bill and carbon footprint. It is also worth noting energy companies in all probability only care for meeting their objectives with as little expense as feasible. If you are intrigued by the ECO scheme then first of all check your eligibility through all of the accessible energy companies as the criteria may vary ever so slightly between suppliers. It’s vital that you carry out your own due diligence on any contractor that is undertaking the work, a quick 5 minute search online could be the difference between a smooth satisfying experience or a cluster headache since there are copious amounts of reviews surrounding the unethical contractors. Finally always read the small print keeping a sharp eye out for any hidden charges. You should probably also take a look at draught proofing your property as there is very little cost to benefit. Secondly if you haven’t already heard of the benefits from the latest energy efficient electric radiators then you should probably do a little research and contact the UK’s no1 electric heating expert My Electric Radiators. They stocIn the past you may of come across a leaflet pushed through your letter box offering free insulation from the backing of the ECO scheme. While a majority of installers ark a broad range of plug in electric radiators and can even recommend the correct radiators for your properties specification.
Leonardo Dicaprio - UN ambassador-for-climate-change[/caption]
The growing unease relating to carbon emissions had prompted the UK government in early 2013 to put in to place the Energy Company Obligation scheme also known as the ECO scheme. The ECO scheme in essence is aimed to help tackle fuel poverty by implementing greater energy efficiency within the home. The scheme is funded via energy companies who are obligated by the government to predominately enhance insulation by supporting vulnerable consumers with the objective to reducing their heating bill. Depending on an energy companies share of the market they have a percentage objective to assist with in subsidising these installation measures from their own pouch.
While you may be thinking there is no such thing as a free lunch, countless home have taken advantage from free insulation, boilers and even double glazing provided by the scheme. If your keen to check if you are eligible to obtain a grant for your property then you had better be prompt about it since the ECO scheme is due to cease in March 2017. Having said that It is however under review nevertheless with the ‘Brexit’ saga soon coming into fruition, your guess is as good as ours whether it will be continued.
How do I apply for the ECO scheme?
During our own findings via Ofgems website we soon became aware of the challenging and uneasy process it had become to check our own eligibility for a grant. Following this we visited Npower's website, our current energy supplier where we were easily able to check our eligibility online in under 5 minutes by answering a handful of questions. We decided to check the other big six suppliers:
E-on & SSE - Have a similarly quick online eligibility check to that of Npower which you can swiftly conclude by visiting their website.
British Gas & Scottish power - Is currently closed to any new applicants of it’s ECO scheme.
EDF - Don’t appear to have an online application form however they both confirmed from a quick telephone call that they are at present still accepting applicants.
In essence the ECO scheme is determined firstly by your income, your catchment area and finally the type of property that you reside in. Whats important I may add is that you don’t necessary need to be a customer to any of the energy suppliers above in order to claim the ECO scheme. This is owing to the fact that the energy companies involved have firm objectives that they must fulfil to avoid facing significant fines. For this reason most will take on applications regardless of whom your current supplier is.
Should I be sceptical over the ECO scheme?
e mostly from reputable companies, free funding created a whirlwind for cowboy fitters to snowball as subcontractors. The latter more undesirable fitters commonly carry out an inferior task together with skimping as much as possible allowing them to line there pockets with as much money as conceivable. There have also been cases whereby installers have generated hidden charges not included within the grant. If in doubt always ask about any hidden charges before concluding on your chosen installer. The greatest concern that has arisen through the ECO scheme is the cavity wall insulation outrage which is predicted to rival that of the well documented PPI scandal. The unscrupulous installation became apparent when homes were provided with free CWI (cavity wall insulation) in defiance of the fact that it was an unsuitable material for this type of insulation. Properties that are prone to velocity rain are mostly effected due to the insulation forming a bridge across the outer and inner wall. This in turn acts as a gutter, channelling rain water into a property thus creating damp and mould complications. The issues surrounding CWI have been ongoing for several years now and have even formed a Cavity Insulation Victims Alliance whom have campaigned for greater regulation and responsibility from the industry. Despite the fact that many of the free insulation campaigns were promoted as being government backed and while they were indeed government led, all the funding was in truth funded by the energy suppliers. For this reason the government can be held unaccountable for the losses.
So is the ECO scheme still worth pursuing?
Despite the issue being widely recognised anyone considering applying for an ECO grant should nevertheless remain a touch cautious. While many have benefited immensely from the generous ECO scheme which will certainly help reduce their energy bill and carbon footprint. It is also worth noting energy companies in all probability only care for meeting their objectives with as little expense as feasible. If you are intrigued by the ECO scheme then first of all check your eligibility through all of the accessible energy companies as the criteria may vary ever so slightly between suppliers. It’s vital that you carry out your own due diligence on any contractor that is undertaking the work, a quick 5 minute search online could be the difference between a smooth satisfying experience or a cluster headache since there are copious amounts of reviews surrounding the unethical contractors. Finally always read the small print keeping a sharp eye out for any hidden charges. You should probably also take a look at draught proofing your property as there is very little cost to benefit. Secondly if you haven’t already heard of the benefits from the latest energy efficient electric radiators then you should probably do a little research and contact the UK’s no1 electric heating expert My Electric Radiators. They stocIn the past you may of come across a leaflet pushed through your letter box offering free insulation from the backing of the ECO scheme. While a majority of installers ark a broad range of plug in electric radiators and can even recommend the correct radiators for your properties specification.