In addition to advice for everyone, here are some other things, specific to owner-occupiers that you can do.
As an owner-occupier, you can significantly increase the energy efficiency of your property. See below for ideas and support to help you enhance your house while lowering and managing your energy expenses.
What is ‘retrofit’?
Retrofit is the process of improving your home to be warm in winter, affordable to heat, and resilient to a changing climate, such as staying cool in hotter summers.
The process of retrofitting can include:
- insulating walls
- upgrading windows
- adding loft or floor insulation
- draughtproofing to stop heat escaping
- adding more shade to the property
- adding solar panels
- upgrading from gas boilers to a low-carbon alternative such as a heat pump
Benefits of retrofitting
Energy bills: Insulating your home reduces the amount of energy needed to heat it, significantly reducing the cost of your bills.
Comfortable homes: Improving insulation, ventilation and shading helps your home stay warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
Healthy homes: Improving insulation and ventilation reduces the risk of damp and mould. Transitioning away from gas boilers and cookers reduces air pollution inside the home, keeping you healthier.
Grants available include:
Great British Insulation Scheme
You may be able to get free or cheaper insulation to reduce your home’s energy bills.
You might get support if your home:
- has an energy performance certificate (EPC) of D to G - check your EPC
- is in council tax bands A-D in England - check your council tax band
Home insulation you can get includes:
- cavity wall insulation
- solid wall insulation (internal or external)
- loft insulation
- flat or pitched roof insulation
- underfloor insulation
- solid floor insulation
- park home insulation
- room-in-roof insulation
For more information, visit Apply for support from the Great British Insulation Scheme on GOV.UK
Ecofurb retrofit plans
100 homeowners and landlords in H&F can apply for free a whole house retrofit plan from Ecofurb normally costing £540.
These plans are primarily aimed at residents not eligible for the grant schemes and advice detailed elsewhere in this guide.
To find out more and apply, please visit the Ecofurb website.
Energy Company Obligation (ECO) Scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is requiring some energy suppliers to help with the cost of improving a home's energy efficiency. These suppliers are required to provide grants to residents.
The scheme requires households to be low income and experiencing some kind of vulnerability or fuel poverty. Eligibility is based on the resident’s circumstances, not the landlords. To find out if you or your tenant are eligible, contact any of the obligated energy suppliers. They do not need to be your energy provider.
The grant can cover:
- better heating
- loft and cavity wall insulation
- smart heating controls
- solar panels
- air source heat pump and more
Find out more on the Energy Company Obligation.
Local Upgrade Delivery
Local Upgrade Delivery is providing up to £5,000 to landlord and Housing Association on various measures including:
- low carbon heating systems
- insulation
- smart heating controls
The eligibility criteria include an EPC D-G, Household income of £31k and below and on gas grid. You can apply online, or call 0808 196 8255 to apply. Home Upgrade Grant Scheme Application Form (est.org.uk)
Home Upgrade Grant 2
Home upgrade grant is providing support on:
- insulation and ventilation upgrades
- an upgrade to a low carbon heating system
- efficient heating controls
- energy-efficient hot water systems
- solar PV solar hot water
The eligibility criteria include an EPC D-G, household income over £36k and below and off gas grid.
You can apply online and a property assessment will be arranged. Home Upgrade Grant Scheme Application Form (est.org.uk)
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) provides grants to replace fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump up to:
- £7500 for air-source heat pumps
- £7500 for ground-source heat pumps
- £5000 for biomass boilers.
Visit the Boiler Upgrade Scheme page on GOV.UK for more information about the scheme, eligibility criteria (must own the property, replace a fossil fuel heating system and your property must be suitable to install one) and how to apply. Approved installers will apply for the grant on your behalf.
VAT exemption
Between April 2022 and April 2027 the cost of purchasing and installing some home energy-efficiency improvements will be VAT exempt. This will lower the cost of certain measures by up to 20%.
The exemption is applied for by the contractors who supply and install energy efficiency and heating equipment. Ask suppliers to confirm whether VAT exemption applies to any works you are asking them to quote for. For more information see the government advice. Energy-saving materials and heating equipment (VAT Notice 708/6) on GOV.UK