Customer Rights – Helping People – Helping Shropshire

As part of the UK’s attempts to reduce carbon emissions, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has been helping people in Shropshire reduce their energy costs for the past few years.

We are dedicated to assisting Shropshire residents in obtaining the funding they are entitled for, with ECO4 and The Great British Installation Scheme (backed by LA Flex) accessible to qualified families.

So how and why do we do this?

In order to help the UK government in achieving its aim of Net Zero emissions, ECO4 and similar grants have been launched. We at Consumer Rights are dedicated to fulfilling our part in this endeavour. 

In Shropshire, the average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating for homes is slightly below the national average, with a Standard Assessment Procedure (SAP) score of just under 58, placing them in EPC Band D. This aligns with the wider UK trend, where the majority of properties fall within bands D and E. For private rental properties in Shropshire, it is a legal requirement to 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.

Consumer Rights has been actively supporting residents in Shropshire to improve their property’s EPC rating by helping them access government-backed initiatives like ECO4 and GBIS.

These schemes are especially important for Shropshire, given its distinct housing challenges.

The prevalence of older and larger detached properties in Shropshire presents challenges for retrofitting to improve energy efficiency. Many homes likely have poor insulation and outdated heating systems, requiring significant investments to upgrade. As of 2021, it was estimated that the average cost to decarbonise a social housing dwelling in Shropshire was almost £24,000, suggesting a total cost of around £477 million to decarbonize all social housing in the area.

Regarding fuel poverty, as of 2021, 25,730 households (18%) in Shropshire were considered fuel poor. However, this figure is likely to have increased since then due to rising energy prices and the ongoing energy crisis.

EPC Ratings for Shropshire

  • C and above (good energy efficiency): Around 55.8% of homes in Shropshire have an EPC rating of C or above, which is slightly below the average for England and Wales. These homes are considered energy-efficient but could still benefit from further upgrades, such as solar panels or modern heating systems, to improve their performance further.
  • D (okay average efficiency): A significant proportion of homes in Shropshire fall into band D, with an average energy efficiency score of 64.6. This is slightly below the national average but still represents the most common EPC rating in the area. These homes often have standard insulation and heating systems but could be made more efficient with targeted improvements.
  • E (poor efficiency): Approximately 13.7% of properties in Shropshire have an E rating, indicating poor energy efficiency and higher energy bills. Many of these homes are older properties with inadequate insulation and outdated heating systems, which require substantial upgrades to meet modern standards.
  • F-G (very poor efficiency): A smaller percentage of properties in Shropshire, around 5.7%, fall into bands F or G, indicating very poor energy efficiency. These homes typically require significant upgrades, such as improved insulation or new heating systems, to meet current energy standards.

A property must have an EPC rating of D or lower in order to qualify for government support through programs like ECO4. With almost 40% of homes in Shropshire falling into this category, many properties in the area qualify for energy efficiency improvement initiatives targeted at decreasing energy bills and carbon emissions.

Procedure for Applying for ECO4 Funding

With the help of Consumer Rights, you can install energy-saving measures in your home by obtaining access to ECO4 and GBIS funding.

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.