How ECO and the Green Deal Could Help Your Finances

In homes throughout the UK, heating is being cranked up as we await the cold weather. But a lot of the heat that we use is lost due to poor insulation in our lofts, walls and windows.

It can seem like an impossible task to make the changes necessary to address this. You may understand that insulation could help you save money; but if you can’t afford to have it done then that information isn’t really of any use. Thankfully the government have createdtwo schemes: Green Deal, a flagship scheme to improve the energy efficiency of all homes and Energy Company Obligation (ECO) a scheme whereby UK occupants can be means tested for free energy efficient upgrades. This will help home owners to be able to afford valuable wall and loft insulation that will reduce the heat loss in the home.

So if you think that this is something that could benefit you then it’s time to seek further information about the possibility of finding out if you are eligible for the scheme.

First Things First

If you are contemplating insulation then the first thing you need to think about is what is needed for your home and you may consider getting an assessment carried out on your property. This can be done by any accredited advisor, who will be able to tell you what energy saving measures your house is suitable for.

Once you have this information you can shop around for quotes from Green Deal providers who will be able to tell you how they can help you pay for your insulation and energy saving installations.

Will the Green Deal Save Me Money?

In theory and in most cases, yes.Once your home is energy efficient you will start to save money immediately. You may save as much as £175 a year with loft insulation alone; and your insulation will last 40 years so the savings can be considerable.

Crucially, you will not be charged upfront forhome improvement costs. Instead, you will pay back the amount in small instalments which will be added to your energy bill. This amount is dictated by the amount of money you save having installed the upgrades, so you’ll not have to pay more than you currently do. It’s diverting your funds to a better place – your home.

Small Changes You Can Make on Your Own

There are a number of small changes that you can make yourself to help ensure you make savings on your energy bills. These include:

Installing energy saving light bulbs in every room

Washing your laundry at 30 degrees instead of 40

Remove any furniture that might be blocking radiators.

Take a shower rather than filling a bath tub.

Use appliances efficiently and turn them off when you are not using them; the same goes for lights.

Only fill the kettle with as much water as you need

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