Whether you’re a homeowner or landlord, you’re bound to have noticed the increasing focus on encouraging us all to make our properties more energy efficient. This is part of the drive to ensure the UK achieves its legally binding target of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, which has two benefits. As well as being kinder to the environment, it also means that our homes will be warmer and cheaper to heat in the future.
Current legislation requires all rented homes to have a minimum EPC rating of ‘E’, but the Government hopes to raise this to ‘C’ before 2030. And to help cut carbon emissions, gas boilers are being phased out. Proposals are that from 2025, developers will no longer be able to put them in new homes, then from 2035, the plan is not to install a new natural gas boiler in any property – i.e. it will have to be replaced with a low-carbon heating alternative, such as a heat pump, biomass boiler or solar panels.
Obviously, there is a cost to making energy efficiency improvements, which won’t be affordable for everyone. The good news is that the Governments across the UK have put in place various forms of energy efficiency grants that you may be able to apply for.
The Government already has an ECO scheme in place, known as ‘ECO4’, which extends to England, Scotland, and Wales. This is targeted at those most in need of financial support - people in social housing, on a low-income or fuel poor – living in properties with electric storage heating.
Homeowners, landlords, and private tenants are eligible to apply, with grants for energy efficiency improvements and discounted rates for installing insulation available.
In light of the cost-of-living crisis, last November the Government announced a new £1 billion ECO+ scheme, which will extend financial support to households that don’t currently benefit from any other Government support to make energy efficiency improvements. Although they intend that around 80% of the funding will go to properties in lower Council Tax bands and with an EPC rating of D or below, other homes may qualify. This is likely to become available in spring 2023.
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme – England and Wales
If your property is in England or Wales, you could get a Government grant to cover part of the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems - that’s oil, gas or electric - with a heat pump or biomass boiler. You can apply for one grant per property of up to:
This is part of a raft of Government-backed schemes under their ‘Help to Heat’ programme – which includes the Home Upgrade Grant and the Energy Company Obligation - although most of these are only available to low-income households.
Energy efficiency grants and loans - Scotland
In Scotland, homeowners can apply for grant and loan funding up to 75% of the total cost of improvements, up to a maximum of £7,500 or £9,000 for rural properties that qualify for an uplift.
While registered private landlords aren’t eligible for this scheme, there is a separate Government-funded Landlord Loan scheme, with maximum loan amounts varying depending on the type of improvement.
Buying a property – what to look for
Given the eco-drive, if you’re buying a property, it’s important to consider what you might have to spend on it in the coming years. So here are a few things to check:
Selling a property – what to consider
If you’re planning to sell, you probably won’t want to spend much on making improvements, but most buyers are going to want a decent level of energy efficiency. So here are a few things you can do that may help secure a successful sale:
If you have any questions about the best ways to make your property more energy efficient or you’d like to know what energy efficiency grant schemes might currently be available to you, we’re here to help. Just get in touch with your local branch.
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