How do ECO4 grants work?

chilswelluk

Alnat1 said:

The company will survey your house and give details of what they would do to make it more energy efficient. This can include loft/cavity wall/underfloor insulation, boiler upgrade or heat pump installation and solar panels. It's not a list where you pick what you fancy, it's a total package and the company are unlikely to specify which brands they would fit. You will absolutely definitely not get a powerwall for free.

So there is no funding for powerwalls at all?  It does not have to be branded. I would like an electric heating system as at present we just have wood burners.

chilswelluk

BarelySentientAI said:

And if they do somehow decide to fit exactly what you want (which from your later post appears to be a state-of-the-art, specific brand solution), then they would make a massive loss on the job because all the unnecessary bits are not covered by the funding.

Thats my misunderstanding then, because I thought power walls were covered.  If we forget the specific branding, there is no battery provision whatsoever?

BarelySentientAI

chilswelluk said:

BarelySentientAI said:

And if they do somehow decide to fit exactly what you want (which from your later post appears to be a state-of-the-art, specific brand solution), then they would make a massive loss on the job because all the unnecessary bits are not covered by the funding.

Thats my misunderstanding then, because I thought power walls were covered.  If we forget the specific branding, there is no battery provision whatsoever?

It's entirely up to the funding supplier ('obligated energy company') what measures they choose to include and through which installers.

The requirement is to get EPC band F/G properties to band D, and band D/E properties to band C.  Getting to band C with electric heating doesn't require batteries.

Looking at section 5 of the guidance document, which describes which measures are eligible to count under the scheme, I see no mention of batteries at all.

If you fancy some reading, the document is here:  https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/2024-04/eco4_delivery_guidance_v2.1.pdf

[Deleted User]

Just stumbled on this thread doing some research on behalf of  my mother .. She had someone knock on the door offering her the grant for external wall insulation as she is on pension credit ( they are doing the neighbours at the moment) , they sent a surveyor around a couple of days ago and said they would be in contact in a couple of weeks  ... 

What is the difference going through them or EON , also what is in it for the company ?..

My concern is the flyer she was handed just has a mobile number on it and seems to a one man band operation... 

FreeBear

[Deleted User] said:

Just stumbled on this thread doing some research on behalf of  my mother .. She had someone knock on the door offering her the grant for external wall insulation as she is on pension credit ( they are doing the neighbours at the moment) , they sent a surveyor around a couple of days ago and said they would be in contact in a couple of weeks  ...

A cautionary tale - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3zxx1gek1o

External wall insulation needs to be done right, and attention to finishing detail is vitally important. In addition, the correct materials need to be used that are appropriate for the building. So if solid brick/stone walls, the EWI needs to be cork or woodfibre with a pure lime finish. Slapping polystyrene or PUR/PIR boards on with a skim of K-Rend will trap moisture in the wall and lead to damp problems internally. Cavity walls, you can get away with modern materials as long as the detailing is meticulous. Unfortunately, many of these insulation companies just want to get in, do the job quickly, and get paid. Often, skimping on the important touches in order to save time and cut costs.

Get a detailed breakdown of materials, methods, and take a real close look at the neighbouring property.

Reed_Richards

[Deleted User] said:

 what is in it for the company ?..

They get work and it's work for which there is very little quality control; it's pretty much down to the installers how good or bad a job they make of it.

the_lunatic_is_in_my_head

[Deleted User] said:

Just stumbled on this thread doing some research on behalf of  my mother .. She had someone knock on the door offering her the grant for external wall insulation as she is on pension credit ( they are doing the neighbours at the moment) , they sent a surveyor around a couple of days ago and said they would be in contact in a couple of weeks  ... 

What is the difference going through them or EON , also what is in it for the company ?..

My concern is the flyer she was handed just has a mobile number on it and seems to a one man band operation... 

I think your local council should have a list of approved contractors on their website, best to go through them ,check out their websites, Trust Pilot reviews and look on Companies House to see how long they've been in business, sort of thing you'd do for any company undertaking major works on your home really

I'd imagine the bigger companies have a more standardised process and are better at resolving any problems.

FreeBear said:

A cautionary tale - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/ce3zxx1gek1o

I saw that article the other day, it mentions rainwater had penetrated the house which begs the question of whether the install itself was at fault or whether the fault lies with not ensuring additional remedial work that was necessary to ensure the house was water tight was carried out by the homeowner (I appreciate if it was and the homeowner wasn't willing to the install company should have walked away). 

Did they have all this damp and dry rot before hand but didn't notice?