Advice for owner-occupiers
In addition to the advice for everyone, here are some specific things you can do as an owner-occupier.
As an owner-occupier you have significant scope to improve the energy-efficiency of your home. See below for advice and support available to help you improve your home and reduce and manage your energy costs.
Ecofurb
The Ecofurb service can help you develop a whole house retrofit plan for your home and budget. Ecofurb’s retrofit coordinators can also oversee the end-to-end retrofit process. This includes choosing accredited tradespeople and making sure the whole project is delivered to specification.
The cost for an initial home survey is £400 per home. The cost for developing a detailed plan, overseeing the project and liaising with contractors is about £900 per home (subject to variation).
You can also try out Ecofurb’s online Plan Builder for free. Enter the address of any home in London to see details of the property, retrofit proposals, and indicative costs.
How-to retrofit guides
Planning requirements can make retrofitting your home seem complicated. That’s why we’re creating a series of simple ‘how-to retrofit’ guides to make it easier to understand and navigate the process.
The guides explain what permissions you may need, what issues you should consider and how you can make a successful application.
Energy Company Obligation scheme
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government scheme requiring some energy suppliers to help with the cost of improving a home's energy efficiency. Suppliers are required to provide grants to pay the whole cost or some of the cost of improvements including insulation.
The scheme requires households to be low income and experiencing some kind of vulnerability or fuel poverty. To find out if you are eligible, contact any of the obligated energy suppliers. They do not need to be your energy provider.
Find out more on the Energy Company Obligation.
Boiler Upgrade Scheme
The Boiler Upgrade Scheme provides £7,500 towards the cost of replacing fossil fuel heating systems with a heat pump. Approved installers will apply for the grant on your behalf.
Check your eligibility for the scheme.
VAT exemption
Between April 2022 and April 2027 the cost of purchasing and installing some home energy-efficiency improvements will be VAT exempt. This will lower the cost of certain measures by up to 20%.
The exemption is applied for by the contractors who supply and install energy efficiency and heating equipment. Ask suppliers to confirm whether VAT exemption applies to any works you are asking them to quote for.
For more information see the government advice.