How the Eco4 Boiler Grant Can Help You Upgrade Heating System?
Carbon emission is increasing at an alarming rate. World leaders and environmentalists are devising strategies to reduce carbon emissions and make the planet livable and eco-friendly. In recent years, eco-friendly products have been promoted to reduce carbon emissions. For instance, electric scooters and hybrid cars are a few examples of eco-friendly products.
But when it comes to homeowners, most of them are not interested in investing in eco-friendly products. This is largely due to low income and high cost of investment.
However, you don’t need to worry, if you are living in a low-income household. Government grants for central heating were initiated by the government of the United Kingdom to help reach carbon-neutral goals by 2050.
So what is the ECO4 Boiler Grant and how can help upgrade your heating system? Let’s take a look at it.
What is the ECO4 Boiler Grant?
ECO4 Boiler Grant is an income support scheme by the UK government to cut down carbon emissions and fuel poverty nationwide. Households with EPC ratings below D will be eligible for the scheme to save energy and improve heating. The ECO4 campaign has been in operation since July 2022 and will last until March 2026.
What’s Included in the ECO4 Scheme?
ECO4 Scheme or boiler upgrade scheme offers a wide range of energy solutions to overcome carbon emissions. By replacing the old boilers with new ones, households can achieve more efficiency by reducing fuel consumption to as much as 90% and improving heating.
Insulation
ECO4, a government eco scheme includes installing insulation, letting households save as much as £1,800 annually. Whether it is a loft insulation, cavity wall, or solid wall, you can avail this benefit through ECO4.
Green Heating Systems
ECO4 Boiler Grant also includes the installation of green heating systems such as biomass boilers and air source heat pumps. This boiler upgrade scheme will replace the outdated ones and allow households to save 25% on their energy bills. Low-income households can also go for solar panel installation under the boiler upgrade scheme, but only applicable if biomass or heat pumps are not functioning.
Repairing Boilers
Repairing boilers under the ECO4 scheme offers funding to get the existing boilers repaired and make them energy efficient. The eligible households under the government eco scheme can get the boilers repaired and make it work for 12 more years. Boiler repair under the ECO4 scheme also includes cleaning, diagnostics, and restoring boilers.
Eligibility for ECO4 Scheme
To avail UK Government Benefits in the form of the ECO4 scheme, you need to meet the eligibility criteria. Here’s a list of households that fall under the eligibility list of the ECO4 scheme
Income-based Job Seekers Allowance | Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
| Housing Benefit
|
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
| Child Tax Credit
| Pension Credit Savings Credit
|
Working Tax Credit Housing Benefit
| Universal Credit
| Child Benefit
|
However, households are not eligible for the ECO4 scheme if they are receiving:
Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
| Armed Forces Independence Payment
| Attendance Allowance
|
Attendance Allowance
| Severe Disability Allowance
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
|
Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
| Carer's Allowance
| War Pensions Mobility Supplement
|
How ECO4 Grant can Help Income Support Recipients?
The ECO4 grant offers free new boiler installation for low-income households. But before availing government eco scheme, the eligibility criteria must be met. However, after meeting the terms and conditions, an ECO4 grant can help income-support recipients in several ways. Here are some of them.
Free of Cost Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The majority of households in the UK are using inefficient boilers that are too old. This results in more energy consumption, high energy bills, and low heat efficiency. However, the grant offers income support to eligible households to get free new boiler installation. Upgrading the boiler systems helps reduce energy bills and get greater heat efficiency.
Play Part in Reducing Carbon Emission
As part of the government’s scheme, everyone in the country can play a part in carbon reduction and promote an eco-friendly environment. High-income households won’t find it challenging to afford new boiler installation from their own pocket. However, low-income households can barely meet their daily expenses and feed their families. Under the boiler upgrade scheme, low-income households can also prove to be helpful in playing a part in making the planet greener and eco-friendly.
Summing Up
The ECO4 grant is a stepping stone towards an eco-friendly planet and reducing carbon emissions. The government’s plan for energy-saving measures and heating improvements might be a drop in the ocean, but the impact can surely be seen countrywide.
The rising energy bills in the United Kingdom are quite overwhelming for low-income households. However, taking the income support under the ECO4 grant would surely bring some sort of relief for low-income families.
If you are willing to contribute towards a greener earth, make sure to replace and install a new boiler under the ECO4 scheme. And if you are not eligible, you should plan to fund the installation of a new boiler.