Eco4 - Solar, Air Source Heat Pumps & Insulation Measures

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Under Eco4, eligible households can receive fully funded solar photovoltaic (PV) systems, meaning there are no upfront costs for the homeowner.

A Solar PV System works like an electrical generator installed on your roof or in your garden. It gives your home green, sustainable electricity all day long. Unlike traditional generators, it doesn’t use diesel or petrol; it runs on sunlight. This means you get free electricity as long as it’s daylight.

The amount of electricity your home receives depends on how much sunlight the solar panels are exposed to. For example, when the sun is shining directly on your panels, the system generates maximum energy. If it’s cloudy or the sun is blocked by a building or tree, the system produces less energy.

Solar PV systems offer numerous benefits, including reduced electricity bills, lower carbon emissions, increased energy independence and potential financial incentives.

The Eco4 scheme can cover up to 100% of the cost dependant on the system. Without the scheme, an Air Source Heat pump system tends to cost between £7,000-£13,000.

Air Source Heat Pumps work by transferring heat from the outside air to the water in your central heating system. This home improvement is one of the most common type of domestic heat pump and are suitable for the majority of homes under the scheme.

There are two different types of Heat pump:

• The Monobloc Heat System is outdoor operating systems which is installed next to your home. It uses two insulated water pipes to connect to the home.
• The Split Heat Pump, works slightly differently, where the Compressor is located next to your home, and the Heat Exchanger is installed in your home (usually a utility room.) The Split System is connected by a refrigerant Network (Refrigerant fluid or gas is located in the pipes which absorbs and releases heat in a closed loop system)

Under the UK government's Eco4 scheme, a range of additional insulation measures are available to improve home energy efficiency and reduce heating costs. 

Beyond solar panels and air source heat pumps, the scheme covers various insulation options:

Wall Insulation:

• Cavity Wall Insulation: Fills the gap between external walls in homes built after the 1920s, reducing heat loss.
• Solid Wall Insulation:
  • Internal Wall Insulation (IWI): Applies insulation to the inside of external walls.
  • External Wall Insulation (EWI): Adds insulation to the outside of external walls, then covers it with render or cladding. 

Roof and Loft Insulation:

• Loft Insulation: Adds insulation to the loft floor, preventing heat from escaping through the roof.
• Pitched Roof Insulation: Insulates the sloped sides of a roof, typically in converted lofts.
• Flat Roof Insulation: Applies insulation to flat-roofed areas to reduce heat loss.
• Room-in-Roof Insulation: Insulates loft conversions or rooms built into the roof space.

Floor Insulation:

• Underfloor Insulation: Adds insulation beneath suspended timber floors to prevent heat loss.
• Solid Floor Insulation: Applies insulation over solid floors, like concrete, to improve thermal efficiency.

Park Home Insulation:

• Park Home Insulation: Provides tailored insulation solutions for park homes, covering walls, roofs, and floors.

These measures are part of Eco4's holistic approach to enhancing home energy efficiency, particularly for low-income and vulnerable households. The specific insulation options available to a homeowner depend on the property's existing energy efficiency and construction type.

If you need assistance determining which insulation measures are suitable for your home or how to apply for Eco4 funding, feel free to ask a member of the ecoedge team.