Consumer Rights – Helping People – Helping Nottingham

As part of the UK’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has been assisting residents of Nottingham and the surrounding areas in lowering their energy costs.

We are dedicated to assisting Nottingham residents in obtaining the funds they are entitled to through the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 (both backed by LA Flex).

So how and why do we do this?

To assist the UK government in reaching its goal of Net Zero emissions, ECO4 and similar grants have been launched. We at Consumer Rights are committed to fulfilling our part in this endeavour. 

Nottingham homes have an average EPC rating of 64, which is in band D and comparable to the national average. In order to comply with rules, private rental homes must have an EPC rating of at least band E.

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

Through the assistance of government-backed programs like ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme, Consumer Rights has been actively assisting homeowners in Nottingham in raising their EPC ratings.

Many of the older residences in Nottingham were constructed before the current energy efficiency rules, contributing to the city’s diverse housing mix. A large number of Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses still exist in Nottingham. These properties often lack insulation and are highly energy inefficient.

More than half of the homes are over fifty years old and over a quarter exceeding a century in age.  This makes retrofitting essential to enhance insulation and reduce energy consumption. In 2022, approximately 19.3% of households in Nottingham were living in fuel poverty, surpassing the national average of 13.1%.  Utilizing the government grants in order to improve the city energy efficiency, will help reduce fuel poverty.

EPC Ratings in Nottingham

  • C and above (good energy efficiency) – Around a quarter of homes in Nottingham have an EPC rating of C. While considered energy-efficient, they may still benefit from upgrades like solar panels or modern heating systems.
  • D (average efficiency) – The most common EPC rating in Nottingham. These homes could become more energy-efficient with insulation improvements or heating upgrades.
  • E (poor efficiency) – A portion of Nottingham’s properties fall into this category, leading to higher energy bills for residents. Many of these homes are older terraced houses with solid walls and outdated heating systems.
  • F-G (very poor efficiency) – The least energy-efficient properties, requiring significant improvements to meet modern standards.

A home must have an EPC rating of D or lower in order to be eligible for government funding, meaning a large portion of the properties have already met the first criteria.

Procedure for Applying for ECO4 Funding

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