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How can GBIS & ECO4
Help You?
The UK’s commitment to a sustainable energy future
S&B ECO Delivering Government grant soloutions
What is GBIS & ECO4?
The GBIS (Great British Insulation Scheme) and ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) are UK government-backed initiatives aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing household energy costs. These schemes are part of a broader commitment to meet the UK’s net-zero carbon emissions target by 2050 and address fuel poverty. By encouraging energy efficiency measures, such as insulation and heating system upgrades, GBIS and ECO4 aim to create warmer homes, reduce energy consumption, and alleviate financial pressures for households across the UK.
Why GBIS and ECO4 Are Important
Both the GBIS and ECO4 schemes are instrumental in addressing energy-related issues facing households in the UK. As energy prices continue to fluctuate, and the urgency of reducing carbon emissions grows, these programs offer meaningful support for lower-income households and those in poorly insulated homes. For those eligible, these schemes provide significant financial relief and contribute to a more sustainable and energy-efficient future.
What is GBIS?
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) is a new initiative designed to help UK households access effective insulation for their homes, targeting both low-income households and those who need support with home energy costs. Insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce heating needs, and by focusing on this, GBIS helps improve energy efficiency across a broad range of properties. The scheme provides subsidies or full funding for various types of insulation, including loft, wall, and floor insulation, helping keep homes warmer in winter and reducing energy bills.
GBIS is available to both homeowners and renters, with eligibility typically focused on income levels and energy efficiency ratings. Homeowners can apply through participating energy providers or government-approved insulation installers to see if they qualify for the scheme. By subsidizing insulation improvements, the GBIS scheme contributes to the UK’s sustainability targets while making a noticeable difference in household energy bills.
What is ECO4?
ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) is the latest phase of the ECO program, which was initially launched in 2013. ECO4 is designed specifically to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty, and it requires large energy suppliers to fund energy efficiency improvements in low-income and vulnerable households. This phase of the program, running from 2022 to 2026, places a stronger emphasis on whole-house energy efficiency upgrades. Under ECO4, eligible households can receive funding for a range of energy-saving measures, such as heating system upgrades, insulation, and even solar panel installations.
ECO4 focuses on households in social housing or with a low energy performance rating (typically rated D, E, F, or G). By prioritizing these homes, ECO4 aims to bring the highest level of energy efficiency improvements to those who would benefit most. The scheme’s impact is twofold: it helps reduce energy bills for households who may struggle with heating costs and contributes to reducing the carbon footprint of homes across the UK.
Is everyone eligible?
You no longer need to be on benefits to be eligible!
SOME OF THE UPGRADES AVAILABLE…
Renewable Energy Systems
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Insulation Improvements
Smart Energy Management Systems
Double or Triple Glazing Windows
Smart Thermostats and Controls
Insulation Improvements
The GBIS and ECO4 schemes offer funding and incentives for a variety of upgrades aimed at enhancing energy efficiency and promoting sustainability in both commercial and residential settings. Here’s a breakdown of the types of upgrades available through each scheme:
The Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS) focuses on providing UK households with a range of energy-efficient insulation products to improve home energy performance and reduce heating costs. Here are some of the key products covered under the scheme:
1. Loft Insulation
Loft insulation is one of the most effective ways to reduce heat loss in homes, as a significant amount of heat can escape through an uninsulated roof. By adding a layer of insulation material (such as mineral wool, fiberglass, or foam boards) to the loft space, homes retain heat more efficiently, helping to keep the property warmer and lower energy bills. GBIS offers funding or subsidies to install loft insulation for qualifying households.
2. Cavity Wall Insulation
Cavity wall insulation fills the gap (or “cavity”) between the two layers of walls in properties built after the 1920s. By injecting insulating material (such as foam or mineral fiber) into the cavity, heat retention is improved, preventing heat loss through walls. This insulation type is suitable for homes with unfilled cavity walls and is commonly covered by GBIS for eligible homes.
3. Solid Wall Insulation
For older homes with solid walls, GBIS also offers solid wall insulation options, either through external or internal wall insulation. External solid wall insulation involves applying insulation boards to the outside of the home and covering them with protective layers, while internal insulation adds insulated panels to the inside walls. Both methods effectively reduce heat loss, but solid wall insulation is more complex and tends to be costlier, making government funding highly beneficial for households.
4. Floor Insulation
Floor insulation helps reduce heat loss through the ground or basement floors, particularly in older homes with suspended timber floors. Insulating under floorboards or adding insulation to ground-level floors can make a noticeable difference in energy efficiency and indoor comfort. GBIS provides support for households looking to improve their energy performance through floor insulation.
5. Draught Proofing
Draught proofing is another valuable product category covered under GBIS, designed to prevent cold air from entering through gaps around windows, doors, and chimneys. Simple yet effective, draught proofing helps keep indoor temperatures stable and is especially beneficial for reducing heating needs in winter.
6. Roof and Room-in-Roof Insulation
For homes with a room in the roof (like a converted attic), room-in-roof insulation helps retain warmth in these spaces. This insulation may involve insulating the sloping ceiling and any vertical walls in the roof space, which helps to make upper floors warmer and more comfortable.
How to Access GBIS Insulation Products
The Great British Insulation Scheme enables households, especially those in lower income brackets or with poor energy efficiency ratings, to access these insulation products either for free or at a reduced cost. Households can check eligibility with participating energy providers or approved insulation installers.
By covering a variety of insulation products, GBIS aims to make homes across the UK warmer, more comfortable, and energy-efficient while supporting the nation’s drive toward reducing carbon emissions.
The ECO4 (Energy Company Obligation) scheme includes a range of energy efficiency products and upgrades designed to reduce heating costs and improve home energy performance, especially for low-income or vulnerable households. Here are the key products and improvements that are typically covered under ECO4:
1. Insulation Measures
Insulation is one of the most effective ways to retain heat, and ECO4 covers multiple types of insulation, including:
- Loft Insulation: Insulation in the loft or attic space to reduce heat loss through the roof.
- Cavity Wall Insulation: Filling the wall cavity with insulating material to prevent heat from escaping.
- Solid Wall Insulation: For older homes with solid walls, this involves adding insulation to either the exterior or interior walls.
- Floor Insulation: Insulating ground or suspended floors to prevent heat loss through the floorboards.
- Room-in-Roof Insulation: For homes with attic conversions or “room-in-roof” spaces, this includes insulating sloped ceilings and vertical walls in these areas.
2. Heating System Upgrades
ECO4 also funds upgrades to outdated or inefficient heating systems to improve energy efficiency, including:
- Boiler Replacement: Replacing inefficient or broken boilers with new, high-efficiency condensing boilers.
- Heating Controls: Installing or upgrading thermostatic controls, such as smart thermostats or individual radiator valves, to provide better temperature management and reduce waste.
- Electric Storage Heaters: For homes without gas access, replacing old electric storage heaters with more energy-efficient models.
3. Renewable Heating Systems
ECO4 emphasizes long-term energy savings, so it supports the installation of renewable heating solutions, such as:
- Air Source Heat Pumps: These extract heat from the outside air, providing an efficient and renewable way to heat homes.
- Ground Source Heat Pumps: A highly efficient heating system that extracts heat from the ground.
- Solar Thermal Panels: These systems use solar energy to heat water, reducing the demand on conventional heating systems.
4. Solar Panels
Solar photovoltaic (PV) panels are also covered under ECO4 for eligible households. Solar panels convert sunlight into electricity, helping to reduce electricity bills and reliance on the grid. Households with solar PV systems can see considerable savings on electricity costs over time.
5. Draught Proofing
Draught proofing is a simple but effective measure to seal gaps around windows, doors, and chimneys, reducing the need for additional heating and making the home more comfortable. ECO4 provides funding for draught-proofing solutions to help prevent cold air from entering homes.
6. Window and Door Upgrades
ECO4 may cover improvements to old or inefficient windows and doors by upgrading them to energy-efficient double or triple-glazed options, which help to reduce heat loss and improve insulation.
7. Hot Water Tank Insulation
For households with hot water tanks, ECO4 offers support to insulate these tanks, which helps maintain water temperature for longer, reducing energy usage to reheat water.
Accessing ECO4 Benefits
Eligible households can apply for ECO4 measures through participating energy suppliers or approved contractors. Eligibility is typically based on household income, energy performance ratings, or vulnerability, with a focus on homes rated D, E, F, or G for energy performance.
By covering a wide range of energy-efficient upgrades, ECO4 helps improve living conditions for low-income households, reduces energy bills, and contributes to the UK’s carbon reduction goals.
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