For many families and struggling individuals, 2022 was a year to forget. With energy bills soaring, the cost of living hitting an all time high, and plenty of other negative talking points to mull over, the changing of the calendar is cause for celebration. Seen as a completely clean slate by many, and the dawn of a new year equals changes in abundance, therefore re-evaluating your energy habits is a wise move.
Let the experts at UK Energy Management take you through some of the most significant energy saving techniques to consider in 2023, with plenty of insight into the ECO4 scheme, annual changes to anticipate, and the effects of gradually integrating such tips into your lifestyle.
A 2023 Outlook
Entering the initial months of 2023, there seems to be no end to the continual cost of living increase. Despite repeated assurances from the government that a cold Winter wouldn’t be on the cards, thousands of individuals throughout the British isles have faced crippling bills and unliveable conditions. If 2023 is to be any different, changes are required across the board, and we’re here to help out.
Looking ahead, the national energy price guarantee has been extended until April 2023, bringing a typical household energy bill down to roughly £2500 per year. Despite this change occurring, things become more complicated between then and April 2024. During this period, the guarantee will change again, placing the average household at £3000. Though this is a considerable form of help for many households, others are left scratching their heads as to the other ways in which savings can be made.
ECO4 Eligibility
On the page of government incentives, the ECO4 bill is another example of beneficial legislation, and although the ECO (Energy Company Obligation) bill in general is nothing new, the fourth incarnation of it may be noteworthy depending on your circumstances. The premise of this scheme is to help tackle the prominent issue of fuel poverty, and help to reduce carbon emissions in the process. Ultimately, this places energy companies in the spotlight, and has seen the government compensating the very largest suppliers for undertaking actions that result in reduced energy usage. This pertains to everything from installing insulation to upgrading a conventional heating system into a smart system – at no cost to homeowners that require it.
What part do UK Energy Management have to play in all of this? From checking your eligibility and enrolling you in the scheme, to ensuring all your energy-efficient home improvements are carried out by qualified tradespeople and installers, all you need to do is submit a form registering your interest. Though not each and every household is eligible for the scheme, if your living circumstances align with the current ECO4 criteria, the grant will be accessible to you.
Qualifying For The Grant
Unsure if you could qualify automatically for the ECO4 grant? There are a number of circumstances which will deem an applicant automatically eligible for help. If you don’t automatically qualify however, this does not rule you out for help altogether. Exemptions can be made depending on your wider circumstances, so for further clarity, why not check our Frequently Asked Questions page, and fill out the form yourself. In the meantime, here is a list of criteria which would see you automatically qualify:
● 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)
● Child Benefit
Though the previous ECO3 scheme allowed the following conditions to make a household automatically eligible, they are unfortunately no longer applicable:
● Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP)
● Attendance Allowance
● Carer’s Allowance
● Constant Attendance Allowance
● Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
● Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB)
● Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
● Severe Disablement Allowance
● War Pensions Mobility Supplement (WPMS)
Prevent Heat From Escaping
One of the most effective ways to reduce energy spend is by conserving the heat present within your home, therefore easing your household’s reliance on regularly activating the gas boiler system, meaning less spent on monthly heating bills. Though easier said than done, any household can effectively conserve warmth by closing windows and doors, insulating areas of the home and being responsible with the use of radiators and heaters. As you may well know, heat travels upwards, and consequently up to a quarter of heat is lost through the roof in uninsulated homes. Alongside helpful cavity wall insulation, don’t miss out on savings by letting heat leave through your loft, and check your funding eligibility as a matter of urgency.
Consider Renewable Energy
Though the initial cost of renewable energy sources can be eye-wateringly pricey, the long-term benefits are established, not to mention the environmental benefits of having such utilities installed. Inarguably cheaper than their fossil fuel counterparts, Solar sources were crowned as the cheapest form of energy in 2022, laying claim to the affordability of solar panels once installed. Global pressure to generate sustainable energy has had a notable knock-on effect concerning the low price of renewables too – making forms of energy including wind energy, geothermal and even hydropower particularly viable in the long-term.
Getting Smart With It
There’s no avoiding it, utilities will start to decline after a certain period of time, and this is often difficult to notice. Unless your gas boiler breaks down completely, or an event leads to the realisation that an appliance is no longer functional, we very rarely consider replacing a faulty system. This can be detrimental to you and your household bills, as a dysfunctional system may mean that you aren’t receiving the full benefit that your outgoing costs would suggest. As well as an immediate upgrade in efficiency and some helpful techy features, turning to a smart-appliance will give you a more detailed indication of how much bang you’re getting for your buck.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, 2023 is sure to be another tough year in terms of rising costs and unavoidable bills, but with the incentives and quick tips listed above, we hope that you can make smart savings and rapid reductions. The bottom line is that we’re all facing change as the year begins, and enquiring about the ECO4 scheme is just one change you can make for the better. In 2021, we helped thousands of households, installing 9183 measures in total – incurring total savings of £103,340,191. You could be one of the many more to benefit in 2023.
UK Energy Management: Funding For Loft Insulation, Gas Boilers And Much More
At UK Energy Management, we place trust above all else, and the reputation of our organisation is based around continued communication with all of those that we work with. A continual story of success in The United Kingdom, we continue to deliver our targets from funding partners, resulting in a positive impact on the quality of living for countless families. We can get you started on your ECO4 grant journey, and see it through to completion in a timely and convenient manner. Managing your changes from start to finish, we work to provide the best funding options for your particular circumstances, creating a more comfortable and energy-efficient home for you and your family.
We are committed to doing all we can to deliver savings across the nation, and with a large, passionate team, we’re fully equipped to manage projects from inception to completion. Long recognised as an accredited installer, we’re regularly monitored to ensure financial solvency and compliance. Working closely within the Qualitymark Protection Terms of Business Agreement and Quality Assurance Frameworks, you’re assured of a premium service from minute 1. Any questions remaining? Simply contact the team at your earliest convenience.
