Mrs W, a homeowner in Norfolk, contacted her local council, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk, to see if there was any assistance or advice that could be provided about helping to keep her home warmer. The property is away from the gas network, and its bespoke construction made it harder to heat.
Aran are an approved delivery partner for councils across Norfolk, which enabled Mrs W to work with a local reputable installer. At assessment, it was found that the family was eligible for grant funding.
Energy Company Obligation 4 (ECO4) is a grant funding programme that aims to improve homes, taking a fabric-first approach. Improving the insulation at a property ensures that any energy efficient heating solution will work most effectively, resulting in lower costs to heat a home. ECO4 can offer 100% grant funding to households on low income, and there are several ways to qualify that are not dependant on means-testing.
Aran’s qualified Retrofit Assessor visited the family’s home to identify the particular issues and provide solutions to help keep the house warm in colder months and reduce heating costs. The retrofit co-ordinator appointed to the project approved the installation of the following package of measures:
- Loft Insulation
- Cavity Wall Insulation
- Sloping Ceiling Insulation
- High Heat Retention Storage Heaters
- Solar PV
- Ventilation
Improving the insulation at the home helps reduce heat loss and lower heating bills. Upgrading the heating to new and more efficient storage heaters makes the home more comfortable - combined with the Solar PV significantly reduces the running costs of the home. Installing ventilation when fully insulating a home is an important consideration as it allows air flow throughout the home, reduces the risk of condensation, and improves air quality.
On completion of the works, Mrs W commented:
‘It was worth waiting for. We certainly have every reason to be pleased with the installation and the way in which it was flexible enough to satisfy our needs. The works were carried out promptly and efficiently. Staff at Aran have been extremely helpful.’
Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) provide an energy efficiency and an environmental impact rating. It also estimates energy use, carbon dioxide emissions, lighting, heating and hot water usage per year, together with the potential annual costs. When Aran first visited the family’s home, the EPC showed it to be one of the worst performing homes rated at a G. Following completion of the installation of the above list of measures, the home has been given a rating of C, and these upgrades will save the family over £2,000 a year on their energy bills.