Customer Rights – Helping People – Kingston-upon-Hull

Our team at Consumer Rights CIC has worked with Kingston-upon-Hull residents over the past few years to accomplish two significant goals: reducing energy costs and supporting the UK’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions. 

With the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 (backed by LA Flex) accessible to eligible households, we are dedicated to helping Kingston-upon-Hull residents get the funding they are due.

So how and why do we do this?

To help the UK government reach its goal of Net Zero emissions, ECO4 and other such subsidies have been launched. We at Consumer Rights support this cause by assisting households in becoming more energy efficient, through accessing energy efficiency home upgrades. 

The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for residences in the Kingston-upon-Hull area is in band D, which is similar to the national average. According to this, a large number of Hull homes have a reasonable level of energy efficiency but might use some improvements to function better. In order to meet legal requirements, private rental properties in Kingston-upon-Hull must have an energy efficiency rating of at least band E on the EPC Register.

Properties rated F or G may not be legally rented out, unless there is a valid exemption.

Through government-backed programs like ECO4 and the Great British Insulation Scheme, Consumer Rights CIC have been actively helping Kingston-upon-Hull people raise the EPC rating of their homes.

Kingston upon Hull’s housing stock is largely older properties, with terraced housing representing more than 50% of the stock, which is approximately twice the national average of 26%. The city has a notably low proportion of larger family housing (3 bedrooms or more) and only 6% of the stock is classified as detached.

The prevalence of older, terraced housing presents challenges for retrofitting to improve energy efficiency, as these properties often require more extensive and costly upgrades. In Kingston upon Hull North, 9,090 households (21.3%) live in fuel poverty, which is higher than both the regional average of 17.5% for Yorkshire and The Humber and the national average of 13.06%. 

EPC Ratings for Kingston-upon-Hull

  • C and above (good energy efficiency): Approximately 43% of homes in Kingston-upon-Hull have an EPC rating of C or above. This is slightly better than the UK average, but still leaves a significant portion of properties that could benefit from energy efficiency improvements.
  • D (okay average efficiency): The most common EPC rating in Kingston-upon-Hull is likely band D. This aligns with the national trend and suggests that many homes in the area have moderate energy efficiency but could benefit from upgrades.
  • E (poor efficiency): A substantial number of properties in Kingston-upon-Hull have an E rating, indicating poor energy efficiency and higher energy bills. Many of these are likely to be older homes, including pre-1919 terraced houses with solid walls and inadequate insulation.
  • F-G (very poor efficiency): A small percentage of homes in Kingston-upon-Hull have an F or G rating, indicating very poor energy efficiency. These properties require significant upgrades to meet modern energy standards and are likely facing the highest energy bills.
  • To be eligible for government funding, a property must have an EPC rating of D or below. In Kingston-upon-Hull, a significant portion of properties likely meet this initial qualifying criterion for energy efficiency improvement programs, given the prevalence of homes with lower EPC ratings.

Procedure for Applying for ECO4 Funding

Consumer Rights is here to assist you in gaining access to the ECO4 funding and GBIS, 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.