Act quickly to beat Government cutbacks

December 2nd, 2013

Chancellor George Osbourne has announced the Government’s plans to reduce annual energy bills by around £50, but this will see changes made to energy efficiency schemes such as ECO.

Energy prices have been in the spotlight over the last couple of months, with each of the major six suppliers cranking up their costs and Labour promising to freeze prices if they come into power.

And to tackle the issue, the Coalition Government are looking to cut household spending by changing green schemes and energy efficiency incentives. MPs are still campaigning for the plans to be scrapped, which include grants and funding for vulnerable households and hard-to-treat homes.
(more…)


Understanding the ECO scheme

September 11th, 2013

do I qualify?With the ever-increasing energy bills we face in the UK because of price hikes from the major suppliers, it’s no wonder energy efficiency is always on the mind. A startling statistic is that since 2004, the average British energy bill has doubled. And worse news still: Your bills will probably double again by 2020.

So now you know this, what are your options? Well improving the efficiency of your property is your best bet. By doing this you can limit heat loss and reduce the amount of heat you actually need to produce in the home to keep warm.

There are two main options to consider when going about this. You could invest in the efficiency measures yourself, by upgrading a boiler or having wall cavity insulation inserted. Or, you could find out if you’re eligible for a new Government scheme: The Energy Company Obligation.
(more…)


The Affordable Warmth Scheme

July 29th, 2013

In Britain there are a range of schemes and initiatives to help homeowners pay their expensive fuel bills. Prices have increased significantly in the last few years and the Government is keen to support those who are most vulnerable.

See below to find out more about the Green Deal and the Affordable Warmth Scheme:
Boiler1

The Green Deal Initiative

The Green Deal is the Government’s flagship energy efficiency programme, made to help homeowners reduce bills without having to pay the large upfront costs for insulation. There are a number of products included on the scheme, including double glazing, replacement boilers, loft lagging and wall cavity insulation. Finances are provided in the form of a loan, which is paid back with the money you save on energy bills. And with the Golden Rule, homeowners don’t pay back more than they’re saving each month.
(more…)


Get a boiler grant from your energy supplier

July 29th, 2013

In the UK there are a number of boiler grants and schemes to help the most vulnerable households with their expensive bills. Vulnerable households are often classified like this because of a low income or inefficient boiler which is wasting money every year.

And the nation’s biggest energy suppliers, including the ‘big six’ of British Gas, Eon, EDF, Scottish Power, SSE and Npower, are obliged to help homeowners in the UK reduce their carbon emissions.

This scheme is all part of the Energy Company Obligation (ECO), which was launched in line with the Green Deal.
(more…)


Martin Lewis – Free Boiler Scheme

July 4th, 2013

Martin Lewis is an award-winning campaigning TV and radio presenter, newspaper columnist and best-selling author. He founded the UK’s largest money site, Money Saving Experts, in 2003 for just £100 and it now receives over 13m monthly users.

And the ultra-specialised journalist has announced the launch of the much anticipated ECO Boiler Scheme on ITV’s Daybreak show.
martin-lewis-moneysavingexpert
The ECO Boiler Scheme is a Government-run initiative to improve the efficiency of thousands of homes up and down the UK. The proposals set will force Britain’s major energy companies into ensuring the energy efficiency of their consumers. The scheme is especially targeted at those earning a low income or in receipt of income-related benefits or pensions.
(more…)


The benefits of an eco boiler

June 18th, 2013

boiler2-286x111
Every year we spend hundreds of pounds on heating and experts suggest as much as 84% of yearly bills are made up from the boiler. This highlights the importance of having an energy efficient eco boiler to make a big difference on your consumption, reducing the amount you spend.

Why do I need an eco boiler?

If your current boiler is inefficient, you should be looking to replace it with an efficient gas condensing system.
(more…)


How can I get a free boiler?

June 18th, 2013

Boiler5
If you want to reduce your energy bills, replacing your boiler is one of the best routes to go down. Unfortunately not everyone will be eligible for the free boiler scheme, run by the Government and funded by energy companies.

However, that doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay out the full installation costs for a new boiler. With the Green Deal scheme you can receive finance with a loan to cover the costs, which is then paid back with the money you save on heating bills.

The Green Deal works by calculating how much you’ll save with certain energy efficiency measures in place, giving you the opportunity to be environmentally friendly and cut bills too. And under the guidelines of the scheme, you won’t pay back more than you save each month.
(more…)


Am I eligible for boiler grants?

June 18th, 2013

Boiler3
Replacing your boiler with an energy efficient upgrade is a great way to slash fuel bills and cut your expenses every year. But switching your boiler isn’t the cheapest of home improvements and if you don’t have the funds available you won’t be in a position to make the purchase.

So what is the other option? Taking advantage of a boiler grant to help subsidise the installation costs.

Grants available for a new boiler fall under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO). This is a Government-run scheme and funded by energy companies including the big six.
(more…)