Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which played a significant role in hiking energy prices for UK households to an alarming level, there has been an increased drive to make homes more efficient and, as a country, become more self-reliant with our energy needs. The spike in the sale of Ecodesign wood-burning stoves is a testament that even at an individual household level, people are very eager to take control and enjoy a more self-reliant way to keep warm.
The various government support packages that have been put in place have helped support households over the cold winter months. However, there is a pressing need to take a proactive stance and look at how energy efficient our homes are and what we can do to make them more efficient. A lot of homes in the UK are old, and as a result many are far from efficient.
Great British Insulation Scheme
In November 2022, the government introduced the ECO+ scheme, which was designed to make UK homes more efficient and, as a result lowering energy costs. This scheme was set to start this month but has been rebranded as the Great British Insulation Scheme, administered by Ofgem and is set to be launched this summer.
Under this scheme, there will be two groups with different eligibility criteria.
Group 1 – General Group:
1. Must be living in a home in council tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Wales and Scotland
2. Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D and below
3. If eligible, you may receive a single insulation measure
4. A contribution may be required towards the insulation
Group 2 – Low-Income Eligibility Group:
1. You must be receiving certain means-tested benefits
2. Your home must have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of D and below
3. If eligible, you may receive a single insulation measure – plus the possibility of heating controls
The Great British Insulation Scheme will be in place until 2026, in conjunction with ECO4, the Home Upgrade Grant, and the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund, giving support to those who are least able to afford to make their homes more energy efficient.
Reaching Targets:
National Energy Action (NEA) has reportedly expressed concern with the government’s progress on government targets and has quoted an unbelievable timeframe of 190 years to upgrade the energy efficiency of the UK’s drafty housing stock and, according to industry calculations, 300 years to meet the government’s own targets to reduce fuel poverty. The Great British Insulation Scheme aims to insulate 300,000 homes over the next 3 years.
Home Insulation Tips:
There are a number of things you can do to insulate your home; whether you intend to be part of the Great British Insulation Scheme or not, there are always things anyone can do to keep warmer and save heating costs. Below are a few for starters:
Thick Curtains – One of the very best ways to keep your home warm in the winter is to have thick curtains. Many homes, especially those that don’t have double glazing will lose a considerable amount of heat through windows.
Giving Radiators Space – Make sure you keep your radiators away from the furniture. Having your sofa right up against the radiator may look cosy, but it will absorb a great deal of heat. Giving your radiator a little space will allow all the heat to warm the room up.
Cover Bare Floors – Did you know that floors that are not insulated can account for up to 12% of total heat loss in a room? If you do not want to use carpet in a room, then using a rug or mat will help.
Small Drafts – There are a number of small drafts around the home, which can all contribute to heat loss. Examples are letterboxes, where brush closers are ideal for stopping junk mail leaflets and also stopping excessive drafts. Keyhole covers are great at stopping drafts through keyholes – especially with older homes, which may have more traditional, larger locks fitted.
Loft Insulation – DIY loft insulation can be a great way to keep your home warm. Although you can get a professional to install it, you can also do this yourself if you have easy access to your loft.
Layer Your Blankets – Fluffy blankets should be closer to your skin, with dense blankets on the outside to help prevent convective heat loss. This can be an efficient way to keep a warmer in bed when the heating may be switched off.
