It sounds great to get a boiler or upgrade your heating system for free. Many homeowners are curious to see if they qualify. Many homeowners wonder if an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) can prevent them from receiving a grant.
It depends on your situation and the scheme. This article explains eligibility and how EPCs impact it. The article also gives you ways to help, even if your EPC does not meet all the requirements. It is important to provide clear and practical information that you can immediately use.
This article answers the most common questions. This article explains the EPC and its importance. The guide also shows how an EPC can be a hindrance. It also explains the ways in which trusted partners and installers can assist you. Berks Insulation is one of these trusted partners.
They help homeowners apply for a Free Boiler grant and provide free heating upgrades via the ECO4 scheme. Berks Insulation helps applicants with eligibility checks and can arrange surveys and installation where necessary.
What exactly is an EPC, and why does it matter
A short report is an Energy Performance Certificate. It shows the energy efficiency of a house. The guide also includes simple ways to increase efficiency. Your EPC score will determine what grants you are eligible for.
Some schemes only accept ratings of D and below. Some schemes have different thresholds, or the EPC is one of many eligibility checks. When applying for grant support, such as to install a heat pump, the official Boiler Upgrading Scheme requires an EPC. A valid EPC will make the application process easier and faster.
You may still be eligible for grants if you don’t have an EPC. Some installers or scheme partners will survey as part of their process and arrange for an EPC. It does not ensure approval, but it takes away a major obstacle.
You may be eligible for funding if the EPC reveals that the home is not energy efficient. This could include a boiler, a low-carbon heating system or ECO4 (the Boiler Upgrade Scheme).
Which schemes use EPCs and how strictly?
Homeowners often mention two main programs. First, there is the ECO4 programme. The Boiler Upgrading Scheme is the second. ECO4 targets low-income households and those who are vulnerable. It prioritises homes with low EPC ratings (typically E, F and G).
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme is aimed at replacing fossil fuel boilers with heat pumps or other low-carbon systems. A valid EPC is required to access funding because of these rules. Details vary depending on the provider and the homeowner’s benefits or income status.
Since its inception, ECO4 has implemented a number of energy-saving measures. ECO4’s supplier-led activities have already funded hundreds of thousands of energy-saving initiatives for eligible households.
By targeting homes with low energy performance certificates, suppliers can have a greater impact on each household, both in terms of carbon reduction and energy savings. Contacting a certified partner or supplier can help you clarify your options if your home has an old EPC or no EPC at all.
Can you get a boiler grant with EPC problems?
It depends. Many installers will provide a new EPC if your EPC has expired or is not present. You may not qualify for ECO grants if your EPC has a high rating. Some funding streams, however, may be more flexible.
These include those that are aimed at low-carbon heating in off-grid homes or for vulnerable groups. An approved assessor’s simple survey can reveal options which are not immediately obvious.
A homeowner may have an EPC, but it is inaccurate or outdated. EPCs may be several years old and no longer reflect the latest building standards or upgrades. A new assessment may give you a higher band if you’ve done heating or insulation work since your previous EPC.
This new band may change your eligibility. Most trusted installers suggest a new EPC when needed and then give advice on the best way forward.
Off-gas-grid homes and special routes
Special challenges face homes that are not connected to the mains gas supply. They use LPG, electric or oil heating. These fuels are often more expensive than gas. This is important because off-gas properties make up a large share of UK property.
According to recent research, approximately 4.4-4.5 million British households were not connected to gas grids in 2021-2022. These homes, many of which are located in rural areas, may qualify for grants like the Home Upgrade Grant and ECO4 assistance, where local flex routes apply. The type of heating system and EPC band are both factors that influence the grants available for off-gas homes.
The Home Upgrade Grant and other schemes like it were created to assist off-grid houses that use expensive fossil fuels. In such cases, EPC and fuel types are evaluated together to determine eligibility and best measures.
This often involves insulation and a heating upgrade. Tell the partner scheme early if your home is not connected to the grid. This allows the scheme partner to look at multi-measure packages that will bring your home up to a higher EPC band and lower future bills.
Real figures and what they mean
Understanding numbers helps. Many households have already benefited from the ECO4 program. Since its launch, hundreds of thousands of measures have been delivered to homes with low income. This included boiler upgrades, installation of insulation, and other energy-saving work.
The impact of ECO-type activities is huge. Estimates differ depending on the source. For eligible households, a new boiler or heat pump can lower their annual heating costs by hundreds of pounds.
The typical quoted savings for replacing old boilers and improving fabric can range between PS300 and nearly PS500 annually, depending on the fuel type and home. This is a good starting point when weighing your options.
How trusted partners help – the role of Berks Insulation
The path to financing is made easier by working with a trusted installer. Berks Insulation, for example, is a partner. They assist homeowners in determining their eligibility for the Free Boiler Grant and applying. Berks Insulation helps with surveys and any EPC required.
They coordinate installation under ECO4 or related schemes. They are familiar with the rules of schemes and can identify multi-measure packages to unlock funding for fabric upgrades as well as heating replacements. Berks, or another partner, can assess your EPC and provide advice on the grants that are available for your home.
Closing summary
EPCs matter for boiler grants. Often, they are part of eligibility checks. There are still options if your EPC has a high or old band, is missing, or is outdated. Installers can create new EPCs. Installers can bundle measures to make you eligible.
Special routes are available for homes that do not use gas and for those who are vulnerable. Savings from an upgrade can often be several hundred pounds per month.
It is important to have a partner you can trust to conduct the survey and help with the paperwork. You can get a fully funded upgrade or highly subsidised installation with the right help. This will save you money and increase your comfort for many years.