Consumer Rights – Helping People – Helping Bradford

Over the past few years, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has been assisting Bradford and the surrounding towns in lowering their energy expenses while also aiding the UK’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions.

With ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme (supported by LA Flex) available to qualifying houses, we are committed to helping Bradford residents access the funds for which they qualify.

So how and why do we do this?

The ECO4 program was created to assist the UK in reaching its Net Zero emissions goal, in addition to other government-funded grants. We at Consumer Rights are dedicated to helping with this endeavour.   

The average home in Bradford typically has an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating between 63 and 64, which is in band D. This is slightly less than the average for England and Wales as a whole. 

Unless an exemption applies, Bradford landlords must make sure their rental homes are at least band E on the EPC register in order for them to be legally rented out.

Properties rated F or G may not be legally rented out.

Through the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 funds, we at Consumer Rights have been actively assisting Bradford people in raising the EPC rating of their homes. Bradford has a wide range of housing, many of which were constructed prior to the implementation of contemporary energy efficiency regulations.

There is growing adoption of solar panels in Bradford. Over 5,000 households in Bradford have already installed solar panels. Bradford residents with solar panels have seen their energy bills reduced by 50% on average. While there are positive trends in retrofitting and renewable energy adoption in Bradford, the housing stock still appears to have significant room for improvement in terms of insulation and solar panel installations.

EPC Ratings for Bradford

  • C and above (Good Energy Efficiency): Around 25-33% of homes in Bradford have an EPC rating of C or higher, meaning they are relatively energy efficient but could still benefit from upgrades such as solar panels or modern heating systems.
  • D (Average Energy Efficiency): The most common EPC rating in Bradford is band D. These homes are often older properties with standard insulation and heating systems, which could be improved with energy-saving measures.
  • E (Poor Energy Efficiency): A smaller number of homes in Bradford fall into band E, indicating poor insulation and higher energy bills. Many of these are older terraced houses with solid walls and outdated heating.
  • F-G (Very Poor Energy Efficiency): The least common category, homes rated F or G, have very poor energy efficiency and require major improvements to meet modern energy standards.

Many properties in Bradford already meet the initial eligibility requirements for government financing, which requires a property to have an EPC rating of D or lower.

Procedure for Applying for ECO4 Funding

Consumer Rights  is here to assist you in gaining access to the ECO4 funding and the Great British Insulation Scheme, allowing you to install energy-saving measures in your residence. Determine your eligibility and submit an application.

How to Apply for ECO4 Funding:

1. Complete the Eligibility Checker
Visit our Eligibility Checker and use the tool to answer questions about your property and personal circumstances.

2. Centre Call Contact
After completing the checker, a member of our qualified contact centre team will call you. They will:

  • Discuss your property and the upgrades available.
  • Walk you through the application process.
  • Help gather any required documents.

      3. Property Survey and Upgrade Options

        • The team will arrange for a survey of your property to assess the upgrades that can be offered.
        • If you want to proceed, they will schedule a time to carry out the necessary work.

          If you think you may be eligible for funding, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our team has a wealth of knowledge and will be happy to advise you further.