FUNDING
There are often grants available to subsidise the installation of energy efficient measures including insulation, heating and renewable technologies. Many of these are means tested, and the amount of funding varies over time and between the measures to be installed.
ECO Funding
The Energy Company Obligation (ECO) is a government energy efficiency scheme that aims to reduce carbon emissions and tackle fuel poverty. Under the scheme, energy suppliers will subsidise the installation of insulation and heating measures in domestic properties.
Higher levels of funding are available to those that qualify under the Home Heating Cost Reduction Obligation (HHCRO) element of the obligation. You will qualify for this if you own your home or rent from a private landlord, and a member of your household either receives one of the following benefits:
OR if you are a Tax / Universal Credit Recipient and do not exceed the following maximum income threshold:
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £13,200
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £1,100
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £17,400
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £1,450
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £21,600
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £1,800
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £25,800
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £2,150
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £30,000
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £2,500
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £19,800
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £1,650
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £24,000
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £2,000
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £28,200
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £2,350
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £32,400
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £2,700
Tax Credit Threshold Gross Annual Income: £36,600
Universal Credit Threshold Net Earned Income Monthly: £3,050
Depending on the measure you require, your circumstances and your property type, the installation could be fully funded by ECO – contact us to find out.
LOCAL AUTHORITY GRANTS
Local authorities are able to certify that a household should receive the higher level of ECO funding (HHCRO) if they meet certain conditions, under a rule called ‘Flexible Eligibility’. Although each local authority will have its own process and criteria, these conditions are generally:
However, there is a limit to the number of households that local authorities can certify under the Flexible Eligibility rule. Check with your council for more details.
In addition, local authorities are occasionally awarded funding from the government or third sector organisations to subsidise energy efficiency measures in their community. Check with your local authority to see if they are aware of any such funding.
Cornerstone works closely with a number of local authorities and housing associations to help them apply for and publicise such additional funding – our team has secured over £30m for our partners over the last five years. If you are a local authority seeking support for a funding application, or a householder seeking enquiring about funding for a specific measure, contact us today for more information.
RENEWABLE ENERGY INCENTIVES
There are currently two main government incentives for the installation of renewable energy technologies:
Feed in Tariff
The Feed in Tariff (FiT) is a government scheme designed to encourage the uptake of small-scale renewable and low-carbon electricity generation technologies. Eligible systems include solar PV, a wind turbine, hydro or micro CHP technology.
The benefits include:
The system you install must be registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) and an Energy Performance Certificate must be available for your property, in order for the system to qualify for payments from your chosen FiT licensee (typically an energy company).
Cornerstone manages the end to end process application, installation and commissioning process for our customers, whether domestic or commercial, ensuring you benefit from a compliant and high performing micro-generation system.
Renewable Heat Incentive
The Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) is a government scheme designed to encourage the uptake of renewable heat technologies amongst householders, communities and businesses, and especially for off gas properties. Eligible systems include biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar thermal panels.
The benefits include:
The RHI is open to owner-occupiers, self-builders, private landlords and registered social housing providers. The application must be made via the Ofgem website within a year of your system being commissioned, as part of which you must provide evidence of Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) registration and an Energy Performance Certificate for the property.
Similarly to the Feed in Tariff, Cornerstone is able to manage the end to end process for our customers, including the RHI application.
More information about the Feed in Tariff and Renewable Heat Incentive are available from Ofgem, which administers both schemes.
WHAT OUR CUSTOMERS SAY...
“Norwich City Council has worked with Cornerstone on our external wall insulation work stream and has found their work to be of an extremely high standard. Resident satisfaction is always very high. I have no hesitation in recommending Cornerstone to potential future clients.”
John Hodson, Major Works Team Leader, Norwich City Council
“The end to end experience with Cornerstone was first class. They have excellent technical knowledge and designed a system that perfectly meets our needs. The installation process was quick and clean and we were kept informed every step of the way. More than a year into operation and the system has reduced our heating costs by around 35%, with Cornerstone continuing to provide support throughout. I would thoroughly recommend Cornerstone."
Kim Hazell, Director, Chichester Close Saltdean RTM Company Ltd, Sussex
“Before the new boiler was installed, my contribution to the heating bills was very high. The new system has meant heating my home is much more affordable, plus the air quality is much better now that the old oil boiler has been removed. Very happy!"
Mr D, Home Owner, Sussex
"Not only does my house look brilliant but I am so much warmer and my fuel bills have plummeted. Cornerstone were a very friendly company who were a pleasure to have around and we are really grateful for what they did on the estate."
Jill Sharp, Chairperson of Paston Residents Association, Peterborough
FEATURED CASE STUDIES
01379 853 613
enquiries@cornerstonelimited.co.uk
