When homeowners and private tenants, particularly those facing the threat of financially crippling energy bills, visit this page, they may be surprised to find out that they qualify for large cash funding that has the big energy companies fuming.

Thousands have already qualified and received funding to upgrade their homes- to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds in some reported cases.

This is because of a little known government scheme currently happening right now that could give you the energy efficient, cosy and comfortable homes you deserve in order to protect your you, your family and loved ones from financial harm.

Quick Version: Savvy brits are qualifying for free energy efficiency savings. there is absolutely no cost or credit checks to see if you qualify. CLICK HERE instantly TO SEE IF YOU QUALIFY.

Energy suppliers furious as Brits slash their energy bills

With around £22 billion in unpaid essential bills such as utilities and council tax, and the ongoing Cost of Living Crisis afflicting families up and down the country, is still one of the main concerns for people this year.

Many are living in cold and damp conditions…

“Huddled in his home wearing multiple layers of clothing with his dressing gown on top, Bill Eldred tries to avoid turning the heating on unless temperatures plummet below zero and lives a frugal existence.

The 67-year-old told me he only eats one hot meal every other day, despite battling numerous health conditions and admits: ‘I fear I won’t survive this winter. I’ll either come out of this winter dead or in serious debt that I can’t pay back because I just can’t afford to live.'” [1]

Some are so close to financial ruin that they are having to chose between heating their home and eating.

It’s like a prayer answered for many

The scheme currently happening is helping homeowners and private tenants up and down the country upgrade their homes with energy efficient upgrades such as insulation, solar pv, air source heat pumps, replacement boilers amd smart controls, without using their own money or credit.

This may be unknown to many, but if the energy performance rating of your propery is low and you or anyone in your household receive a qualifying benefits (or your household income is less than £31,000 a year) you’re likely to qualify.

This is a huge problem for the big energy suppliers.

In fact, they’re crying like a toddler being told off for being naughty, and here’s why…

You see, the energy companies make huge profits – especially when your home is poorly insulated and/or has outdated and energy inefficient heating measures such as non-condensing boilers.

“Energy companies are ‘greedy’ and have ripped off consumers by overcharging them and making their bills too complicated to understand, the industry regulator (Ofgem) has ruled”  [2]

However, the joke is finally on them – here’s why:

1. The Government is literally forcing them to pay for your energy efficient upgrades and improvememts out of their own pockets. (You dont’t pay a penny, if you’re lucky enough to qualify).
2. They would rather not let you know about this potentially very large FREE funding.
3. You hold these companies accountable for profiting from hard-working, decent people for their astronically high energy price hikes.

You may think that your energy provider has your best interest in mind. Rest assured, they do not. They’d rather keep you uninformed about your options. That’s why the pressure is on, time-wise.

Act now before your window of opportunity closes

With no lengthy forms or endless questionnaires to complete you could be saving hundreds of pounds in heating bills and enjoying a happier home-life much quicker than you think.

It’s a no-brainer to jump on this now but you need to act fast so you don’t miss the April deadline, because the funding is limited and is strictly on a first come, first serve basis.

And since it’s likely that the cost of living crisis will get worse before it gets better isn’t it time you did something to protect you and your family from the greedy energy companies?

You now have a once in a lifetime chance to become more independent of your energy provider hereby slashing your electric bills, with no out of pocket costs; and without using any of your hard-earned savings.

“Anyone who needs to use their heating to stave off freezing temperatures this week can expect to pay over 80% more than what they did three years ago.” [3]

How do I see if I qualify?

It’s 100% free, quick and easy to see if you qualify.

You must be a homeowner or private tenant, live in England, Wales or Scotland with an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of an E, F or G and you or someone in your household must be in receipt of income-based government benefits such as housing benefit; or your total household income is less than £31,000.

• Step 1: Visit this page and complete the quick 57 second quiz to instantly check if you can qualify
• Step 2: You will be contacted to confirm your eligible for a FREE grant.
• Step 3: Book your free no-obligation survey and installation date.

If you’re a homeowner, private renter or landlord, you can have your home or rental property significantly upgraded (to the tune of tens of thousands of pounds in some cases) with the latest renewable energy products, heating and insulation measures.

All without spending a penny of your hard-earned money!

That’s right…it will cost you nothing.

What is the ECO4 Scheme?

Launched in 2013, ECO stands for Energy Company Obligation (ECO) and creates a legal obligation for the big energy providers in the UK to improve the energy efficiency of households across the country

Funding for the ECO scheme actually comes from the energy companies and not the government; and they are fuming being forced to contribute like this…

To the tune of billions of pounds

The current ECO4 four-year scheme is worth £1 billion a year and will run from April 2022 to March 2026, and this presents a great opportunity for low income and vulnerable households, and those living in homes with the least energy efficiency, to receive energy saving measures for free.

There is more good news for households with the new scheme offering further support for those on low income but not receiving benefits through the expansion of the Local Authority Flexible Obligation (LA Flex) – see below for further details.

THIS IS FANTASTIC NEWS FOR THESE HOUSEHOLDS AND MEANS THEY WILL SEE EVEN GREATER REDUCTION IN THEIR ENERGY BILLS THROUGH BETTER ENERGY EFFICIENCY.

Insulation and Heating Measures Available Under ECO4

Here at UK Consumer Watch, we can help you access funding and providers for the insulation and heating measures listed below:

• Air source heat pumps (ASHP)
• Gas boiler upgrades (for non-condensing and back boilers)
• Electric storage heating (ESH) upgrades
• External and internal wall insulation for solid walls
• First-time central heating (FTCH)
• Cavity wall insulation
• Flat roof insulation
• Loft insulation
• Non-condensing boiler upgrades
• Room in roof insulation
• Solar panels

What are the Main Obligations?

The ECO policy is entirely formed from one obligation – the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO).

Please get in touch to see if you are eligible.

What is the Eligibility Criteria for ECO4?

People who are eligible for ECO4 must meet the following criteria: –

• Property must be in EPC bands D, E, F and G for Homeowners
• Property must be in EPC bands E, F and G for Private Tenants (and their Landlords)

Someone in the property must also be receiving one of the following ECO4 qualifying benefits: –

• Income based Jobseekers allowance (JSA)
• Income related Employment & Support Allowance (ESA)
• Income Support (IS)
• Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
• Working Tax Credit (WTC)
• Child Tax Credits (CTC)
• Universal Credit (UC)
• Housing Benefit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)
• Pension Credit Savings Credit (new eligible benefit under ECO4)

Support for Low Income Households

It is important to understand that the ECO4 scheme is primarily a way for the government to alleviate fuel poverty by supporting  those households with access to funding to reduce their energy bills whilst also reducing carbon emissions.

Typically, if you spend more than 10% of your income on energy bills, this is classified as being in fuel poverty.  A new important feature of ECO4 is a properties EPC rating along with other funding routes based on low income or poor health. Because of this there are numerous ways to access ECO4 funding so have a look at the below and see any of these apply to you: –

Firstly, you must meet one of the following EPC requirements: –

• You are a homeowner with EPC rating D, E, F or G
• You are private renter with  EPC rating E, F or G

You then need to meet one of the following criteria, if you or anyone in your household do not receive any of the benefits listed above: –

• Your total household income is below £31,000
• A householder receives a Council Tax rebate (rebates based on low income only, excludes single person rebates)
• A householder is vulnerable to living in a cold home
• A householder is referred under a Local Authority run scheme which aims to support low income and vulnerable households
• A householder receives free school meals due to low income
• Household identified as struggling with sustained debt on utility bills and mortgage payments and has been  referred to the Local Authority for support by Citizens Advice, their energy supplier or from their mortgage lender.

If any of these apply to you then please get in touch with us below to see how we can help access ECO4 funding which will reduce your energy bills, make your home warmer and reduce its impact on the environment.

It’s not just fuel prices rising. Inflation is also climbing steadily and dangerously high. So far for the year, inflation has gone up an astounding 9%, and it may reach more than 10% soon, according to some financial analysts. The Bank of England has attempted to control inflation by increasing the base interest rates, but that doesn’t seem to be slowing down the ballooning inflation problem.

These are just a few ways that the cost of living is going up for Brits, and as you might expect, as inflation and fuel prices increase, they push up the price of pretty much everything else. How did we get here, though?

What Caused the Cost-of-Living Crisis?

It’s easy enough to blame it all on the COVID pandemic, but that’s a good place to start. Pandemic fears caused massive job losses and shutdowns, resulting in a lot of companies going out of business and many workers being laid off. These kinds of issues cropped up around the world, and as the global economy seeks to recover, inflation rates are high across the world. Businesses of all sizes are trying to recoup some of their losses from the pandemic and keep from going out of business, which is manifesting as increased prices everywhere.

On top of all that, the Russian invasion of Ukraine has sapped resources from Britain’s economy, affecting the UK more than most developed countries.

There are also serious labour shortages in the country due to fears over returning to work and Brexit causing foreign nationals to leave. This has taken its toll on the cost of living as well.

Will It Get Better?

The outlook isn’t good for anyone hoping to see the upside of all this. While things may improve economically in the future, for now it seems that inflation, job shortages, and the cost of living are all going get worse before they get better. Taking a look at any of the financial markets, the signs are there that these markets are heading steadily downward, which bodes poorly for the near future. Speculative markets in particular are trending downward on a global scale, with no indication of an imminent reprieve. We may be stuck with this crisis for a while.

How Brits Are Handling the Crisis

Time and again, Britons have proved their resiliency- through world wars, through economic crisis, through natural disasters- and they will likely do so again through this cost-of-living crisis. Here is how some of the savviest are dealing with the current situation.

1. Cutting Energy Costs

Energy costs are on the rise, and savvy Brits are finding ways to reduce their energy bills. One of the biggest ways they are paying less each month on energy is by unplugging devices that drain energy while they are still plugged in. This includes chargers, power banks, video game consoles, and smart TVs. People are also more conscious about what they leave on in their home when they aren’t using it, like lights, fans, personal computers, and even appliances. All of that energy conscious behaviour contributes to bringing down the power bill and helping Britons save money on their expenses.

• Finding Free Stuff

As prices soar, Brits are finding ways to get the things they need and enjoy without paying anything at all. A lot of companies offer free samples or free trials, and people are taking advantage of that, enjoying free offerings from L’Oréal, Colgate, Amazon Prime, Spotify, BritBox, and many more. Savvy people are hopping from one free trial to another, using multiple addresses or emails to score free stuff throughout the year.

• Managing Debt Slowly

A few years ago, many of us had big plans about paying off credit card debt and student debt in a short timeframe, but events since then have changed everyone’s plans. It’s still important to pay these debts off, though, as that can help to lower monthly costs, and smart Brits are finding ways to slowly pay off their accrued debt while still managing to pay their monthly cost-of-living expenses. This often means refinancing, re-mortgaging, and adjusting payment plans, but still with the intent of seeing the end of their debts at some point.

• Working on the Side

Does it seem like everyone has a side hustle these days? That’s because pretty much everyone does. When the 9-5 ends, then the side work starts, and sometimes people juggle their side job with their regular work. A lot of the additional work people are picking up is online, buying and selling, running a social media channel, doing freelance work, and seizing other opportunities as they present themselves. This additional income can help cushion the blow of rising costs and allow some people to pursue their passions out of necessity.

• Avoiding Credit Purchases

Buying now and paying later may have been fine before, when there was always the promise of steady income to handle it, but that’s not a safe way to live any longer. Smart Brits are trying their best to wait on purchases that they won’t be able to pay for in full, using credit cards as a last resort rather than the first option when they make a purchase. Many people are starting to see just how much debt can accrue quickly and unexpectedly by using credit cards with little regard for how soon they pay those purchases back, so they are avoiding them altogether.

• Building a Savings Account

An uncertain labour market means that any job could be forfeit at any time. It’s impossible to tell how the economy will shift and how it will affect different sectors from day to day, which means a lot of Brits are preparing for unemployment, even though their jobs seem secure. By steadily building up their savings, they are providing themselves with a cushion to fall back on if their current employment doesn’t last. They have seen enough of their friends and family members lose jobs without much warning, so they are steadily feeding their savings accounts to prepare for that to happen to them.

• Helping Others

It has been remarkable to see so many people step up and lend a helping hand to their friends and neighbours in these times of need. Those who have are giving to those who don’t, knowing that even if their good deed is not repaid, they are doing their part to keep people afloat, and that’s enough. We have seen a surge of volunteer and charity work over the past few years, and people’s mindset about helping out the less fortunate has really changed recently. Many people make it a matter of course to give to charities and to people they know need their help, and that lifts up everybody in these times and helps contribute to a stronger economy where fewer people fall through the cracks.

How are you handling the cost-of-living crisis? Has it affected you in lifechanging ways that causes you to do things differently from before? You might very well identify with several of these points, or perhaps you can get some help by looking at this list and doing what others are already doing to keep themselves afloat.

Perhaps this will help you with your buying decision and in determining whether this kind of solar energy collection method is right for you.

Is a solar PV system worth it in the UK?
A system like this is definitely worth it if it can provide enough power for your structure.

Some people will simply use solar PV in conjunction with more traditional energy production methods, like hydroelectric or coal-powered electricity. That can be helpful when using a small solar PV system that may not be able to provide enough energy for all your power needs.

Whether or not a system like this is worth it for you will depend on what your energy requirements are and how large the PV system is. When calculating these factors, consider not just your daily energy needs but your weekly needs as well.

The power you’re consuming on weekdays may be different from power consumption for the weekend, especially if you work outside of your home or if you’re providing power for a business.

How much does a 10kW solar system produce in the UK?
The 10 kW PV solar system is considered a pretty powerful and robust PV system. It produces considerable energy, generating approximately 10,000 kilowatts of electricity per hour. This is going to give you about 30 to 45 kilowatt hours each day.

Keep in mind that this level of power generation will not always be consistent. It is determined by how much sunlight the system receives, which can be affected by cloud cover, dust, and various weather conditions.

The system will also produce output that varies based on how much shade it is receiving, so its location is very important.

Can 10kW power a house?
You may not need a system quite this powerful for your home, but your power generation needs will depend on how many people are living in your home, how much power they use, and how often they are using power in the home. Many homeowners find that a 7kW PV system is adequate for their needs, and 10kW systems are often reserved for businesses as well as structures with high power generation requirements.

What are the best solar PV systems on the market in the UK?
You have lots of options for solar PV systems on the UK market. Here are a few of the highest rated ones to consider.

LG– These are typically the top-rated solar PV systems, with a 21.7% efficiency rating. That’s typically the highest efficiency rating you can find. The components are also well constructed, and these systems tend to be rated very well by consumers and industry professionals too.

SunPower– These PV systems give you the best energy efficiency overall, but their construction and consumer rating are not quite as high as LG’s. This is probably the most powerful solar PV system, and it’s also competitively priced.

SilFab Solar– This company makes solar PV systems that are incredibly long-lasting, with a warranty that protects you for up to 25 years, in most cases. Customers also report very high levels of success with these panels and their interactions with the manufacturer.

TrinaSolar– These systems are incredibly affordable, and they are backed by a 12-year warranty. They don’t offer the sheer power generation of some of the higher rated panels, but they are otherwise a good buy, especially for the economic-minded consumer.

Panasonic HIT– This is considered an excellent warm weather system, as it boasts a superb temperature coefficient. That means that even at high temperatures, it can keep working very effectively.

While there are a lot of different factors that go into determining which solar PV system is right for you, these are some of the very best options for a range of consumers.

However, no matter how good your air source heat pump is, it won’t be a perfect heating system. There are a few common mistakes you’ll want to avoid if you have one of these installed in your home.

Take advantage of the renewable heating energy these pumps provide, but watch out for some of the issues that homeowners run into when they have theirs set up.

1. Installing One Where You Need Lots of Heat

Air source heat pumps are not designed to provide a lot of heat to your home. They’re best suited for smaller homes with minimal heat requirements.

You’ll want to consider a different kind of heating system if you have a large home or a lot of people in your home who use heat.

Gas and oil boilers give off more heat, but of course, they can’t run on solar power, so you have to take the bad with the good. 

2. Using Them without Insulating Your Home

This kind of pump is designed to be used with a well-insulated home. They’re typically run through underfloor heating, so if your home isn’t insulated when you prepare to install an air source heat pump, you will probably have to pay to get insulation put in.

Consider that in your cost estimates when you’re looking to purchase this pump. You may have more to pay for than just the cost of the pump. All heating systems are designed to work in a well-insulated home.

If there is not adequate insulation, a lot of the heat will just escape, and your heating system won’t be very efficient. You’ll be expending a lot more energy than you have to just to keep the space warm.

3. Expecting the Pump to Heat in Very Cold Areas

This type of heating system can function in temperatures as low as negative 20 degrees Celsius, but it won’t be very effective at that temperature.

In fact, anytime the outside temperature gets down close to 0 degrees Celsius, you’re going to have problems getting much use out of your heating system. That’s because of the unique way that this system draws heat from the air.

If the outside air is very cold, your system will have trouble turning that into warm air inside your home. If you live in a very cold environment, you may want to go with a grounded heat pump rather than the air source one.

3. Installing It Yourself

It’s really important that you get a professional to install an air source heat pump for you.

Trying to install something like this for yourself could cause problems. It needs to be hooked up to your home systems in the right way, because if it isn’t, you can experience poor energy usage, inconsistent heating, and stability issues.

You could also invalidate your warranty. That’s why it is vital that you leave the installation of this equipment to a pro.

So, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re considering an air source heat pump purchase. As cost effective and powerful as these systems can be, they have their limitations. If you’re going to get the most out of yours, you’ll want to know ahead of time what mistakes to avoid and how to ensure your heating system works best in your home.