The UK’s expanded insulation program according to the government will help Britain’s coldest homes save around £310 a year.
It will give grants of £1 billion to homes with low energy efficiency ratings and lower council tax bands in the spring of 2019.
It said that people should contact their energy provider or city council to determine if they are participating.
On the other hand, critics asked why the money wouldn’t be available in the winter.
The Department for Business, Energy, Industry and Skills (BEIS) said that the ECO+ scheme could help people who didn’t get any other help from the government improve their homes.
The grants will help people pay for insulating their attics and walls that don’t cost much.
Costs will average £1,500 per household.
BEIS said the new £18 million public information campaign will offer tips on using less energy at home “without giving up comfort.”
Mr. Shapps said the ECO+ scheme would “enable thousands more people to insulate their homes, keeping pounds in their pockets and creating jobs all over the country.”
The Energy Savings Trust says that it’s hard to keep temperatures even inside without insulation, and homes can lose up to 45% of their heat.
In a typical semi-detached three-bedroom home in the UK. The Energy Savings Trust says installing draught-proofing measures, cavity wall insulation. In addition to loft insulation that could cut a typical annual energy bill by £555.
A current ECO scheme helps people who live in social housing, have low incomes, or don’t have enough fuel.
Improved plan
But under the new plan, people whose homes have a rating of D or lower for energy efficiency can get help. No matter if they live in their own homes, rented homes, or social housing. From A to G, A is the best, and G is the worst for energy efficiency.
However, reports say that people who want to apply must live in homes in council tax bands A to D.
If you qualify for help, your energy company will do an inspection and pay for the changes.
Even though the new $1 billion funding is aimed at middle-income households. Furthermore, the government says that about $200 million will be set aside for the poorest households.
Fuel poverty activists were happy with the measures, but they said that more needed to be done to help those who need it the most.
The UK lags behind
People often say that the UK has some of Europe’s oldest and least energy-efficient homes.
A BBC research found that 12 million UK homes had Energy Performance Certificates with a grade of D or lower. That means they need to meet long-term goals for energy efficiency.
Furthermore, BEIS says that 46% of homes now have an energy efficiency rating of C or above. However, this is up from 13% in 2010.
In his Autumn Statement, the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, set a new goal to cut energy use by 15% by 2030.
In addition, BEIS said an extra £6bn investment would back this goal after 2025.
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Mr. Hunt said that “hundreds of thousands of people” could improve their insulation with the help of the ECO+ scheme.
Georgia Whitaker, who works on energy issues for Greenpeace UK, said that nearly seven million homes were in fuel poverty. In contrast, 19 million English and Welsh homes need more insulation.
