As the energy crisis took its toll on the UK over the course of 2022, the government decided to step in and introduce a new scheme to help people make their homes more energy efficient.
Known as ECO+, the scheme is set to run for three years starting in April 2023.
If you’ve come across the name ECO+ or ECO Plus, you’re probably wondering:
Who qualifies for the government insulation scheme?
Am I eligible for ECO Plus?
And what exactly is it, anyway?
To answer those questions and help you take full advantage of the funding on offer, at Insulation Superstore we took a deep dive into the latest ECO government scheme.
Here’s what we’re going to cover.
Table of contents:
- What is the government’s ECO scheme?
- Who is eligible for the ECO Plus scheme?
- How much can I save with the ECO+ scheme?
- Boosting your energy efficiency and sustainability with the ECO+ scheme
What is the government’s ECO scheme?
ECO+ (now called The Great British Insulation Scheme) is a new £1 billion UK insulation scheme which aims to boost the energy efficiency of people’s homes. Launched by Business and Energy Secretary Grant Shapps on 28 November 2022, the new scheme will run for three years from April 2023 until March 2026.
What’s more:
ECO+ will run alongside the existing ECO4 scheme, which has helped make 2.4 million homes more energy efficient since it was introduced back in January 2013. ECO Plus will extend that support by offering around 70,000 eligible households a home insulation grant of up to £15,000, which is expected to cover up to 75% of the costs of insulation and, potentially, smart heating controls.
More specifically, the measures the ECO Plus government insulation scheme is going to cover are:
- Loft insulation
- Cavity wall insulation
- Internal and external solid wall insulation
- Underfloor insulation
- Solid floor insulation
- Flat & pitched roof insulation
ECO grants in the UK are a key component of the government’s efforts to reduce energy consumption by 15% by 2030 as part of the Net Zero Strategy to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy by 2050. They couldn’t have come any sooner, too.
The thing is:
According to data gathered in the last census, only 42% of assessed homes in England and 37% of assessed homes in Wales had an EPC (Energy Performance Certificate) rating of C or higher. Hence the need for several government grants for energy efficiency.
So, can you benefit from the ECO government scheme?
Let’s find out.
Who is eligible for the ECO Plus scheme?
ECO+ is primarily targeted at low-income and vulnerable households.
Having said that:
If you haven’t received any funding from one of the government’s other schemes, such as the aforementioned ECO4 or Help to Heat, you might be eligible for ECO+ even if you don’t live in a low-income household.
The conditions you’ll need to meet are as follows:
- You live in a home with low energy efficiency, defined as having an EPC rating of D or lower.
AND
- You live in a home within Council Bands A-D in England, A-C in Wales or A-E in Scotland.
Provided you’re eligible, you might receive a single insulation measure (i.e., loft insulation). Naturally, you’ll have to apply first.
To check your eligibility and apply, visit the official Great British Insulation Scheme Application website.
How much can I save with the ECO+ scheme?
Once you’ve successfully submitted your ECO Plus application, you’ll no doubt want to know how much you’ll be able to save down the road.
It goes without saying that your actual savings might vary considerably depending on your specific circumstances as well as any fluctuations in the prices of gas and electricity. Still, some early figures are available.
Here’s the scoop:
The government estimates that the average eligible household will be able to save around £310 a year.
In addition, the Energy Savings Trust cites the following average annual savings based on October 2022 energy prices:
- Loft insulation – £355
- Cavity wall insulation – £395
- Solid wall insulation – £540
- Floor insulation – £110
This may not seem like a lot, but keep in mind that insulation is a long-term investment, which will help you save money on your energy bills for many years to come.
So, why not get your loft insulation grant if you qualify?
And on that note…
Boosting your energy efficiency and sustainability with the ECO+ scheme
Insulating your home is one of the smartest, most sustainable ways to reduce your carbon footprint and embrace a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
And it gets better:
Once installed professionally, quality insulation is very low maintenance.
Most importantly, it will reduce your energy savings without compromising your home’s comfort.
Key takeaway:
If you’re eligible for the new ECO Plus government insulation grant, you can boost your energy efficiency significantly and upgrade your home without breaking the bank.
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