What Upgrades Can Tenants Get Through ECO4? A Simple Guide to Insulation, Heating & More

There are several types of energy-saving upgrades for renters that can be accessed through ECO4 scheme funding. Solar panels, underfloor insulation, central heating… the list goes on. If you’re curious about applying for ECO4 funding to increase the energy efficiency and comfort of your rented property, it’s useful to know what kind of solutions can be installed.

In this concise guide, we’ll be listing all of the available energy-efficiency upgrades that can be installed. Each of these installations will guarantee increased peace of mind, a better Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating, and lower energy bills.

So what energy-saving upgrades for renters are available? Carry on reading to find out.

• Insulation Upgrades
• Heating Upgrades
• Renewables Upgrades
• How Can Renters Qualify For Energy-Saving Upgrades?

Insulation Upgrades

Through the ECO4 scheme, energy suppliers and local authorities provide grants to help renters reduce their fuel bills. What this means in practice is free or heavily-discounted energy saving measures to install in a home or rental property. 

Recent changes in ECO4 funding means that many more UK citizens who struggle with energy bills or fuel poverty can qualify for these energy-saving upgrades, such as improved insulation.

Internal Wall Insulation 

Did you know that 35% of heat loss in a property can be attributed to uninsulated walls? That’s more than one-third of total heat, representing a huge chunk of your energy bills. 

Internal Wall Insulation (IWI) is an incredibly useful and simple upgrade for any household. It’s an effective way of insulating solid walls, which reduces the amount of heat lost through those walls. 

The installation process is simple. It involves fixing a layer of insulation material to internal walls, then finishing this with plasterboard, leaving a clean, smooth surface to be decorated. Find out more about IWI here.

Room in Roof Insulation

Similar to heat lost through walls, roofs can be responsible for 25% of heat loss. If you have a room in your roof space, such as a loft or loft conversion, and it is poorly insulated, you can probably feel this loss in the winter. Additionally, in summer, the room may feel incredibly hot.

Room in roof insulation reduces the impact of both these situations. It commonly utilises rigid insulation boards that are fitted between the rafters of the roof, which differs from standard loft insulation that is fitted on the floor—another simple, easily-installed solution for improving the energy efficiency of a rented property. Find out more about room in roof insulation here.

Under Floor Insulation

With a name like Under Floor Insulation (UFI), you can probably tell where this insulation goes.

As an energy-saving upgrade, UFI makes a big difference. It creates an extra layer of insulation between your floorboards and/or concrete floor at ground level. This has two benefits: it reduces heat loss and also prevents draughts. Find out more about Under Floor Insulation here.

Cavity Wall Insulation

Cavity wall insulation is one of the most cost-effective solutions for reducing energy bills for your rented property. Not only that, it also reduces a property’s carbon emissions and is praised by homeowners and renters alike for its incredibly fast installation time. 

Cavity wall insulation involves filling the space between a building’s inner and outer walls with insulating material. Cavity walls became a building norm in the UK in the 1920s, and so there are many, many houses across the country that suffer from poorly insulated cavity walls.

If you were to install both underfloor, cavity wall, and room in roof insulation (should you have a loft or similar type of room), you would experience a huge impact on the heat retention - and comfort - of your home. Find out more about cavity wall insulation here.

External Wall Insulation

External wall insulation is a less common and less heard of type of insulation, but it’s still an incredibly effective insulation method. 

It involves fitting a layer of insulated panels to the outside walls of your home, which is then covered in render or cladding. And this comes with a variety of finishes to suit your tastes. 

There are several unique benefits here. For example, it provides a weatherproof layer that protects brickwork and increases sound resistance to outdoor noise sources. It can renew the appearance of a rented property, and results in large savings on those all-important heating bills. Find out more about external wall insulation here.

Heating Upgrades

Alongside insulation, there are also energy-saving upgrades for renters that involve heating systems.

Boilers and Central Heating

Oftentimes, the most obvious and immediate improvement that can be made to a property’s energy efficiency is to upgrade the boiler and central heating system. Once accomplished, a better boiler will improve energy efficiency, reduce energy costs, and make your home warmer.

These benefits are especially vital for those families who struggle with fuel poverty, particularly in the colder months. Successful applicants can benefit through the boiler replacement scheme, which delivers free improvements for existing gas boiler heating systems that function below the recommended energy efficiency levels. Find out more about boiler and central heating upgrades here.

Electric Storage Heaters

An electric storage heater stores heat generated during off-peak hours (such as overnight), and then can release that heat throughout the day. 

They are nifty pieces of technology, using electricity to store heat in a bank of clay or ceramic bricks, which then warms the surrounding air. However, they can often be old and inefficient. An electric storage heater that was installed more than ten years ago, or that is faulty, can be replaced via an ECO4 grant.

To qualify for electric storage heater grants, you must be living in a private, domestic property i.e., not commercial, Council or Housing Association. Additionally, someone in that household must be claiming at least one benefit. Find out more about electric storage heaters here.

Renewables Upgrades

Energy-saving upgrades don’t just feature insulation and heating systems, they also cover a range of renewable-energy-focused solutions. Here’s what you could receive grants for.

Electric Vehicle Charging Points

The ECO4 scheme is not the only eco-friendly upgrade grant scheme. There is also the electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint grant for renters or flat owners, set up by the UK Government and Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

This allows flat owners and renters money off the installation cost of EV charging points - up to £350 off the cost of purchasing and installing a home charging point. Find out more about EV charging points here.

Solar PV 

The first solar photovoltaic (PV) panels, as we would recognise them, were developed in 1954 (and the first solar cell was created all the way back in 1839!). However, it’s only in the last twenty years that they have become truly popular and far more efficient than their original counterparts. 

Through grant funding, renters may be eligible to have solar panels added to their property. An experienced energy-efficiency solutions provider will be able to supervise all stages of the build or retrofit process - From initial feasibility studies right through to design, installation, aftercare, and maintenance - ensuring a top-quality and hassle-free installation process. Find out more about solar PV here.

Air Source Heat Pumps

You may not have heard of an air source heat pump (ASHP), but they represent one of the most important sources of alternative energy for households. 

The basic principle of ASHPs is that they transfer heat from outside to inside, or from inside to outside. ASHP uses a process called vapour compression refrigeration, which involves a compressor and condensory unit absorbing heat in one place and releasing it in another. So, for example, in domestic heating, an ASHP will absorb heat from outside and release it inside. 

The key benefit of an ASHP is that they are both versatile and affordable within a wide range of householders. Find out more about ASHP here.

How Can Renters Qualify For Energy-Saving Upgrades?

Renters can qualify for energy-saving upgrades through the ECO4 scheme or a similar grant funding initiative. However, there are a number of criteria you must satisfy. 

ECO4 grants are usually given to applying renters who live within a low-income household, or families who have at least one person who utilises a benefit scheme such as universal credit, income support, or housing benefit. 

The Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of your home can also make you eligible for grant funding. Those homes with an EPC rating of D, E, F, or G can potentially be eligible. To learn more about whether you might qualify, head to our in-depth article here.

However, there’s an even better way of discovering whether you’re eligible - contact us today. 

Check Your Eligibility in 60 Seconds Today

Today, you could start the process of achieving energy efficiency for your household. And the process couldn’t be simpler:

1. Apply Instantly Online: Complete an eligibility check above in under 60 seconds here.
2. Free Assessment: Qualified assessors will evaluate your property within one working day to create a comprehensive house survey.
3. Funding Processing: If approved, we will handle all required paperwork and secure 100% free funding for the energy-saving measures.
4. Free Installation: After approval, the installation will be coordinated, including warranty and aftercare.
   

Think you might be eligible? Contact us today, and we will have our in-house qualified assessors evaluate your property to see what energy efficiency installations could be available for you.