ECO4 has closed to new applications — here's the help you can get now
ECO4 grants are no longer available. See the grants and funding you can get now.
In summary
For the past 3 years, our dedicated team at Consumer Rights CIC has been actively supporting Canterbury residents in their efforts to lower energy costs and contribute to the UK’s carbon emission reduction goals.
We’re committed to assisting eligible households in accessing available funding through initiatives like ECO4 (enhanced by LA Flex) and he Great British Installation Scheme.
So how and why do we do this?
ECO4 and similar grants have been introduced to support the UK Government’s goal of achieving Net Zero emissions. At Consumer Rights, we are committed to contributing to this effort.
Within Canterbury, the median Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes is around 68, which falls into band D. This is slightly higher than the average for England and Wales, which have median scores of around 68 and 67.
For private rental properties in Canterbury, as in the rest of England, it’s mandatory to have an energy efficiency rating of at least band E on the EPC Register. However, it’s important to note that only about 43,000 out of approximately 70,000 homes in the district have an EPC, as it’s only required for sale, letting, or when receiving subsidised energy upgrade works.
Properties rated F or G may not be legally rented out, unless there is a valid exemption.
Customer Rights has been actively supporting Canterbury residents in enhancing their property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings by accessing government-backed schemes like ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme.
Canterbury’s housing stock is diverse, with a total of 69,282 dwellings as of 2023. The city has a unique distribution of property types, with a higher proportion of bungalows (17.9%) compared to the county average, reflecting its large population of residents aged over 65. Houses make up 58% of the housing stock, while flats or maisonettes account for 21.8%. The area has a mix of old and new properties, with some historic buildings in the city center and newer developments on the outskirts.
EPC Ratings for Canterbury:
- C and above (good energy efficiency): Approximately 43% of homes in Canterbury have an EPC rating of C or above. This is slightly higher than the average for England and Wales, indicating a relatively good level of energy efficiency in the area.
- D (okay average efficiency): The median EPC score for Canterbury is 68, which falls into band D. This suggests that a significant proportion of homes in Canterbury have this rating. While these properties are performing at an average level, they may still benefit from energy efficiency upgrades.
- E (poor efficiency): Canterbury has a lower proportion of properties with an E rating compared to the national average. Given that the median EPC score (68) is higher than the Welsh average (67) and equal to the English average (68), fewer properties fall into this category compared to many other areas.
- F-G (very poor efficiency): Canterbury likely has a lower proportion of F and G rated properties compared to the national average, given its higher overall energy efficiency. The area’s median EPC score (68) is slightly above the average for Wales and equal to the average for England, suggesting fewer properties in the lowest efficiency bands.
In Canterbury, approximately 12% of households were in fuel poverty as of 2022, which is an increase from 10.3% in 2021. This translates to about 7,905 households in Canterbury experiencing fuel poverty in 2022, an increase of 1,179 households from the previous year.
How local authority support works
Consumer Rights is here to assist you in gaining access to the ECO4 funding and the LA Flex Scheme, allowing you to install energy-saving measures in your residence. Determine your eligibility and submit an application.
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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.