Are you a residential park home owner?
You may be eligible for life-changing energy efficiency improvements through eco funding. Here’s everything you need to know.
Do you live in a park home and want to save on your heating bills? Do you want to do something about those much-needed energy efficiency upgrades to your property? For park homeowners, there is good news: funding is now accessible through the Energy Company Obligation.
You can benefit from energy efficient measures, reduce energy use and ultimately save money, thanks to this government-sponsored eco scheme, funded by energy suppliers, at little-to-no cost to yourself. In this blog, we explain how ECO funding should benefit your situation as a park home resident.
Here’s an example of how the energy efficiency measures made available through the Energy Company Obligation have already begun to benefit park home owners in the UK:
Why park homes need better energy efficiency measures
One of the drawbacks of having a park home is that it can be challenging to reach adequate levels of energy efficiency inside the premises. This is actually one of the reasons why many people choose not to buy park homes, as it can result in significant costs in energy bills as well as cold and draughty living accommodation.
These homes are known for being constructed from lighter materials, and their structures do not have insulation protection that is as thorough as those that you would find in a typical brick-and-mortar home.
Historically, a significant number of park homes built in the United Kingdom were constructed before the launch of the British standard known as BS 3632. This code of practice ensured that new park home developers were reaching improved standards of insulation in the walls, roof and floor of the homes they were building.
This limited efficiency results in higher electricity and gas bills and makes it more difficult to maintain a comfortable environment in the home. Many park homes also suffer from old-fashioned boiler technology, which results in energy-intensive boiler use, as it works extra hard to heat homes even though heat loss is occurring virtually all of the time.
As a resident of a park home, there are some actions you can take to ensure that your space benefits from better efficiencies, and now, a new government scheme finding can get you there quicker.
Park homes are eligible for ECO4 funding if they meet the necessary criteria.
What is the Energy Company Obligation and ECO4?
ECO4 is the fourth stage of the Energy Company Obligation, a process which was started by the government in April 2022. People who get certain benefits can ask for help from their energy providers to fix up their whole house.
The main goal of ECO4 is to improve energy consumption in the homes of low-income and vulnerable people that are the least energy efficient; park homes are no exception.
What energy-efficient measures are included?
The following are examples of potential ECO4 home upgrades, however, the list is not exhaustive:
External wall insulation
Solar PV panels
Heat pumps
Electric storage heater replacement
Double glazing
Boiler upgrades
Who is eligible for energy-saving measures?
ECO4 is committed to particular to working with low-income families and households that are already receiving government-assisted benefits such as (but not limited to):
Pension Credit
Universal Credit
Jobseekers allowance
Employment & Support Allowance
Income Support
Housing Benefits
Tax Credits (Child or Working Tax Credit)
Child Benefits
Eligible households must also reside within the D-G council tax bands.
Frequently asked questions about ECO4 and Park Homes
I am a park home owner; am I eligible?
Yes. You can apply for ECO4 funding if you are eligible under the conditions listed above. Even if you do not deal directly with your energy supplier, we can help you get the ball rolling.
I'm a tenant; I don't own my park home outright. Can I still apply?
Yes. Using the Residential Energy Services eligibility checker, we can pursue improvements to your home’s energy efficiency through the park home site owner and your home’s energy supplier.
I'm a park home site owner; can I apply?
ECO4 funding goes towards measures to reduce the cost of maintaining your residents’ homes, so as the main handler of maintenance fees, looking into ECO4 funding could benefit you as well as those who live on your park home site.
I don't meet any of the benefits criteria; can I still apply?
There are still circumstances in which you may be eligible as a park home resident. For very low income households for example, if you do not receive any of the government benefits listed above, but your overall household income is still less than £31,000, there is still a chance you are eligible.
Here’s how to get started
The simplest way to determine your eligibility and to start your journey towards free energy efficiency upgrades in your park home, check your eligibility with Residential Energy Services. Answer a few simple questions and we will start your journey to save energy, save money and live more comfortably.
