Customer Rights – Helping People – Helping Chester

Over the past few years, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has supported the residents of Chester and the surrounding areas to address two crucial objectives: lowering energy costs and contributing to the UK’s carbon emission reduction efforts.

With both ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme (supported by LA Flex) available to qualifying households, we are committed to assisting residents of Chester in accessing the funding they’re entitled to.

So how and why do we do this?

ECO4 and similar grants have been introduced to help the UK Government work towards its Net Zero emissions goal. At Consumer Rights, we are committed to supporting this initiative. 

In Chester, the average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes is estimated to fall within band D, reflecting a moderate level of energy efficiency. This is in line with the national average for England and Wales. For private rental properties in Chester, it is a legal requirement to have an energy efficiency rating of at least band E on the EPC Register.


Properties with an F or G rating cannot be rented out unless they qualify for a valid exemption, ensuring that rental homes meet minimum energy efficiency standards.

 

Consumer Rights have been actively assisting residents of Chester to enhance their property’s EPC ratings by leveraging government-backed initiatives such as ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme.

Chester’s housing stock includes a mix of property types and ages. Semi-detached and terraced properties are common, with a notable presence of flats in the city centre. With a large number of older properties, retrofitting for energy efficiency is more complex and costly. As of 2020, fuel poverty affected 11.9% of households in Chester, equating to 18,093 households. The local authorities have developed a Fuel Poverty Strategy to address this issue, focusing on collaborative efforts with external stakeholders to reduce fuel poverty levels.
Improving energy efficiency in Chester’s housing stock is crucial to addressing fuel poverty, particularly in areas with high levels of deprivation where fuel poverty rates are higher.

  • C and above (good energy efficiency): Approximately 41.5% of homes in Chester have an EPC rating of C or above. Specifically, 18,900 homes out of 45,500 households in the City of Chester are rated C.
  •  There are 26,700 homes with an EPC rating lower than C in Chester, which need improvement to meet the Government’s home energy efficiency target.
  • F and G ratings (very poor efficiency): About 1,100 homes in Chester are rated F or G, which is better than the UK average.
  • Overall ranking: City of Chester ranks 363 out of 573 England and Wales Constituencies for the share of homes rated C, which is worse than the UK average

The need for these schemes is clear by the fact that many homes in Chester have lower EPC ratings, indicating a substantial opportunity for improvement. By focusing on energy efficiency improvements, residents can not only lower their energy bills but also contribute to Chester’s broader environmental goals, aligning with the council’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

Procedure for Applying for ECO4 Funding

Consumer Rights is here to help you access ECO4 funding and the LA Flex Scheme, enabling you to install energy-efficient upgrades in your home. Check your eligibility and start your application today.

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.