In September 2023, the UK government announced it would launch a domestic energy efficiency scheme worth £1 billion. The scheme will provide funding for insulation work. Around 300,000 homes across the UK are likely to be eligible for improvements that include roof, loft, and cavity wall insulation.

The Great British Insulation Scheme is designed to help those on low incomes and could see a reduction in annual household energy bills of up to £400.

Are you eligible for the Great British Insulation Scheme?

Eligible families are those living in council tax bands A-D in England and A-E in Scotland and Wales, with an Energy Performance Certificate rating of D or below. You can check your eligibility using a new online checker. 

In addition, if you live in an off-the-gas-grid home with an EPC rating of D to G, you can check whether you are eligible for a Home Upgrade Grant. The grant provides funding for a range of energy efficiency support, including insulation, draft proofing, new windows and doors, heat pumps, and solar panels. More information on applying for funding is available here. Other ways to improve the energy efficiency of your home

As well as applying for government funding, there are some simple steps you can take to ensure your home is ready for the colder months. This includes:

• Testing your radiators to ensure they are working properly. If they take too long to heat up or have cold spots, they might need bleeding or a professional clean.
• Ensuring your water pipes (and water tank where you have one) are properly insulated to protect them from freezing and bursting.
• Checking your windows and doors for any drafts and sealing them up to keep your home cosy and warm. 
• Giving any chimneys a good clean before winter kicks in. Using a professional chimney sweep will help you avoid any flue blockages and maximise the heat in your property over the coldest months of the year.
• Figuring out if your property has any leaks and getting these fixed before the wintry weather starts to creep in.
• Putting down rugs on wooden/laminate floors and putting up plush curtains to keep the cold out. You can also scatter cosy throws on sofas and armchairs, and add extra blankets to beds to create snuggly spaces to cuddle up in.
• Giving your heating system the once-over. Check when your boiler last had its annual service and book an appointment for a system check-up if due.
• Checking your Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) settings. You don’t need to turn them up as high as possible – that will only result in a room that’s too hot and an energy bill that’s too large. Instead, use TRVs to set the right temperature for the different parts of your home. For example, rooms that are used often can be set to higher temperatures, with unused rooms kept to a minimum.

If your radiators do not have TRVs, now is the time to invest. Our range of TRVs includes some of our best-selling products ever. Designed and manufactured to the highest standards, with neat vents and easy-to-read controls, our TRVs boast contemporary designs that complement a wide range of radiators.