Government Insulation Plans A “Welcome Step In The Right Direction,” Says HHIC

The Government’s recently announced ECO+ Scheme has been hailed as a welcome step in the right direction in improving energy efficiency in UK homes by an industry trade body.

ECO+ scheme

Set to launch in Spring 2023, the ECO+ scheme will set aside £1 billion to improve insulation among the UK’s homes. It will help to reduce energy costs for households by around £310 a year and extend support to those in the least energy-efficient homes in lower Council Tax bands.

It follows the announcement of a further £18 million that will give the public advice on saving hundreds on bills without sacrificing comfort.

Public concerns 

93% of UK households have stated they are worried about the price of their heating this winter

The Heating & Hotwater Industry Council (HHIC) has welcomed the plans after its research of 2,000 UK homeowners revealed public concerns heading into winter.

Its survey found that the majority of UK households (93%) have stated they are worried about the price of their heating this winter. It also found nine in ten (89%) people will be changing their home heating behavior in some way to reflect the increasing costs.

Improving the Efficiency of Home Heating

As a result, HHIC has also produced its guide, Improving the Efficiency of Home Heating, to provide energy efficiency improvements nationally. It includes advice on boiler servicing, the use of thermostats to increase efficiency, system water treatment, and the use of inhibitors, in addition to ways their heating engineer can support efficiency.

As energy bill costs are set to rise further, it is more important than ever that UK households have all they need to keep costs as low as possible, as Stewart Clements, Director of the HHIC explains.

thermostat with a new boiler 

Stewart Clements stated, “Rising energy bills are front of mind for everyone at the moment and so households across the UK are rightfully worried about paying the increase. We are pleased to see the Government join the heating industry in giving people the tools to reduce their energy consumption and save money with crucial measures like insulation.”

In recent years the drive for efficiency in home heating has been a priority for the Government and industry. Since 2018, Boiler Plus, an addition to part Part L of the Building Regulations, has required heating engineers to fit the latest room thermostat when fitting a new boiler.

energy efficiency 

HHIC has highlighted that the new ECO+ would establish the foundation for reducing emissions

The legislation aims to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency and so fitting these controls to an already installed boiler will also help homeowners to save money.

The HHIC has also highlighted that the new ECO+ would not only be a crucial step in improving energy efficiency but will also establish the foundation for reducing emissions from home heating.

insulation

Stewart Clements said, “We are gearing up as an industry and a nation to reach net zero emissions by 2050, and we absolutely cannot do this if our housing stock isn’t energy efficient."

He adds, "Preparing our buildings now with energy efficient measures like insulation, while changing the public’s habits around heating and energy consumption, will help with the integration of new low carbon technologies into our buildings.”