ECO4 has closed to new applications — here's the help you can get now
ECO4 grants are no longer available. See the grants and funding you can get now.
In summary
As part of the UK's efforts to reduce carbon emissions, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has been working closely with Cambridge and the surrounding communities to help them minimise their energy costs. Through the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 (backed by LA Flex), we are dedicated to assisting Cambridge's eligible homes in obtaining the funds to which they are entitled.
Consumer Rights - Helping People - Helping Cambridge
As part of the UK’s efforts to reduce carbon emissions, our team at Consumer Rights CIC has been working closely with Cambridge and the surrounding communities to help them minimise their energy costs.
Through the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 (backed by LA Flex), we are dedicated to assisting Cambridge’s eligible homes in obtaining the funds to which they are entitled.
So how and why do we do this?
The UK government has implemented ECO4 and comparable programs to assist in achieving its goal of Net Zero emissions. We at Consumer Rights are honoured to have contributed to this.
Homes in the Cambridge area typically have an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of 64.2, which puts them in band D. This is marginally above the mean for Wales and England.
Unless they are exempt, Cambridge private rental property owners must make sure their homes have a minimum EPC rating of band E in order for them to be legally rented out.
Properties rated F or G may not be legally rented out, unless there is a valid exemption.
Through government-supported programs like ECO4 and The Great British Insulation Scheme, we at Consumer Rights have been actively helping Cambridge people raise their home’s EPC rating.
Cambridge, like many historic cities in the UK, has a variety of housing types, many of which were built before modern energy efficiency standards were introduced.
Many buildings in Cambridge date back to before 1950, with solid wall construction and no insulation, making them harder to retrofit for energy efficiency. This older housing stock requires more extensive upgrades to meet modern energy standards. As of 2017, 12.3% of households in Cambridge were living in fuel poverty.
EPC Ratings for Cambridge
- C and above (Good Energy Efficiency): Around 25-33% of homes in Cambridge have an EPC rating of C or higher, meaning they are relatively energy-efficient but could still benefit from improvements such as solar panels or heat pump installations.
- D (Average Energy Efficiency): The most common EPC rating in Cambridge is band D. These homes are typically older properties with standard insulation and heating systems, which could be enhanced with upgrades.
- E (Poor Energy Efficiency): A smaller percentage of homes in Cambridge fall within band E, meaning they lack adequate insulation and have higher energy costs. Many of these are older terraced houses with solid walls and outdated heating.
- F-G (Very Poor Energy Efficiency): The least common group, homes in band F or G, have extremely poor energy efficiency and require significant improvements to meet modern standards.
Many Cambridge properties currently satisfy the initial eligibility requirements for government assistance, which require a property to have an EPC rating of D or lower.
How local authority support works
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 check what support you can get
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.