Consumer Rights – Helping People – Helping Worcester

Consumer Rights CIC has been working with Worcester residents and the surrounding areas for the past few years to help them reduce their energy bills and carbon emissions.

With funding available to qualifying households through ECO4, and The Great British Insulation Scheme, supported by LA Flex, we are committed to helping Worcester residents access the funding they are entitled to.

So How and Why Do We Do This?

The UK Government has launched the ECO4 scheme and other similar grants to help reach its Net Zero emissions target. Consumer Rights is dedicated to supporting this goal.

The average Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating in Worcester is D, with significant variation across the housing stock. Approximately 48% of properties in Worcester are rated EPC Band C or better, reflecting improvements over the past decade but still leaving a substantial portion of homes below modern energy efficiency standards. Many older properties, particularly those built before 1950, have lower energy efficiency due to poor insulation and outdated heating systems.

For rental properties in Worcester, a minimum EPC rating of band E is mandatory to comply with the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES). Properties with ratings of F or G cannot be legally rented unless they have a valid exemption registered on the Private Rented Sector (PRS) Exemptions Register. Worcester ranks below the UK average for the share of homes rated C, and the UK government is considering plans to raise the minimum EPC requirement for rental properties to band C by 2030.

Consumer Rights’ Role in Worcester

Consumer Rights has been actively helping residents of Worcester improve their property’s EPC rating by accessing government-backed schemes such as ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme.

These schemes are particularly important in Worcester due to the city’s diverse housing stock, which includes a large proportion of older homes in need of energy efficiency improvements:

  • Pre-1919 properties: Worcester has many Victorian and Edwardian terraced houses, which often have poor insulation and outdated heating systems, making them less energy-efficient.
  • Interwar and post-war homes: Properties built between the 1920s and 1950s tend to have better structural integrity but still require modern retrofitting to meet current energy standards.
  • New-build properties: While generally more energy-efficient, even some newer homes could benefit from solar panels, air source heat pumps, or insulation upgrades to further reduce energy costs.

EPC Ratings in Worcester 

  • C and above (good energy efficiency): Around 30-35% of homes in Worcester have an EPC rating of C or higher, making them relatively energy-efficient. However, many of these properties could still benefit from further upgrades, such as modern heating systems or renewable energy solutions.
  • D (average efficiency): The most common rating in Worcester is band D, which reflects moderate energy efficiency. These homes could see significant improvements with insulation, heating, or ventilation upgrades.
  • E (poor efficiency): A smaller proportion of properties fall into band E, meaning they have poor energy efficiency and are likely to face higher energy bills.
  • F-G (very poor efficiency): The least common group includes homes with F or G ratings, indicating very poor energy performance. These properties require major upgrades to meet modern energy standards.

Many homes in Worcester already qualify for energy efficiency schemes, as government funding requires a property to have an EPC rating of D or lower.

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.