New research has revealed that most households are not pursuing energy efficiency upgrades despite grants being potentially available.
According to the study by Uswitch.com, 60% of households in the UK cited affordability as the barrier to reducing their carbon emissions and energy costs through energy-saving upgrades. This could include measures like replacing an old boiler, improving loft insulation and adding wall insulation. According to data from the UK Government, suitable loft insulation is lacking in eight million homes, while the vast majority (90%) of homes with solid walls still don’t have adequate insulation.
Uswitch.com energy expert Ben Gallizzi, said:
“Millions of households would like to improve their draughty, uninsulated homes, but too many people can’t afford the upgrades that would reduce their energy bills.”
Grants are available to upgrade the aging housing stock in the UK. For example, the ECO4 scheme offers grants for properties with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of E or lower if a resident receives a qualifying benefit. Almost a quarter of households are unaware of such grants, though, rising to 68% for the ECO4 scheme specifically. What’s more, over a quarter of households don’t know their EPC rating, with 11% being unaware of EPC ratings altogether.
If you don’t qualify for a grant, it doesn’t mean you have to pay the substantial cost of a boiler upgrade upfront. Xgas has a range of financing options for a boiler installation in Chester and other locations. Get in touch to learn more about how you can start lowering your energy bills.