Many thousands of residents across the UK currently reside in Park homes which, traditionally, are not so energy-efficient. However, now is a great time for park home residents and park home owners to look at securing park home insulation grants, to help increase energy efficiency and lower heating costs.
Why aren’t park homes energy efficient?
There are a number of factors as to why park home residents are struggling to heat their homes efficiently.
Lack of insulation
Traditional park homes are lacking in suitable insulation measures in several key areas, such as the external wall and the roof. This leaves the home susceptible to heat loss giving heating technology a lot more work to do to keep comfortable.
Building materials
A typical park home consists of lightweight building materials, which can be very thin and provide very little defence against the elements. This means heat loss is increased and the transfer of unwanted hot or cold air during uncomfortable winters and summers is common.
Outdated standards
Park homes built several decades ago were built during a time when energy efficiency wasn’t nearly as high on the priority list! Traditional decades-old construction methods didn’t have energy efficiency in mind. Buildings were not designed to compensate for the heat loss many are experiencing today.
How to improve park homes’ energy efficiency and reduce energy bills
A number of improvements can be made to park homes to allow residents and park home owners to reduce the cost of heating and increase the level of comfort, improving overall living conditions
Loft insulation
Loft insulation helps trap heat which naturally rises throughout the home and escapes through the roof. It is a cost-effective and quick way to reduce the effect of heat loss and can often be felt the very next day.
Improving structural issues
Any draftiness or moisture problems that occur within the home are all to do with the transfer of air from the inside to the outside and vice versa. To prevent air from escaping, identifying where gaps and cracks are and sealing them efficiently can help prevent uncomfortable drafts from costing money.
Improve windows and doors
Many traditional park homes are built with single glazing. Upgrading to double or triple-glazing can reduce heat loss significantly and drastically improve energy efficiency.
External wall insulation
This is arguably the most popular method of insulating park homes. It can improve the energy efficiency of the structure without reducing the amount of space inside the home, minimising heat loss and maximising comfort at the same time.
How does external wall insulation reduce heating costs?
External wall insulation is an important energy efficiency upgrade for park homeowners and tenants, as it reduces heating bills while also improving overall living conditions; this is why.
It offers a layer of thermal protection by insulating the fabric of the structure, preventing heat from escaping, especially during the colder months. For park home inhabitants, it means more control over the general inside temperature, ensuring a warm and comfortable home all year.
It reduces energy consumption. With improved insulation, park home inhabitants can benefit from higher energy efficiency by improving the thermal performance of the walls. Your heating system does not have to work nearly as hard or as frequently to keep you comfortable, resulting in cheaper energy costs.
It keeps the living space more pleasant. Traditionally, park homes have thin walls, which causes temperature changes. External wall insulation traps the warm air inside and lessens the impacts of dampness and draftiness in cold spots.
It keeps you cool in the summer. The benefits of external wall insulation are not restricted to the colder months of the year. During the summer, park homes are kept cooler by preventing hot air from outside from seeping inside, reducing the need for costly, energy-hungry air-conditioning machines.
It improves the charm of the property. With a virtually limitless selection of design possibilities, residents may improve the overall look and feel of their home while also increasing its value.
Available government grants for insulation – park homes
The Energy Company Obligation was introduced in 2022 for individuals with qualifying benefits to get assistance from their energy suppliers in order to improve the energy efficiency of their house fully. Park home residents are eligible for assistance if they receive any of the qualifying benefits.
ECO4 is the current phase of the Energy Company Obligation and aims to improve energy efficiency in the homes of low-income and vulnerable residents. Because park homes are traditionally energy inefficient in how they are built, many park home residents today are eligible for support, so now is a great time to apply.
External wall insulation, solar panels, heat pumps, electric storage heaters, double glazing and boiler upgrades are examples of ECO4 home improvements. The whole-house approach means you will most likely obtain a combination of the abovementioned measures.
Here are some of the qualifying benefits you must have in order to be eligible for an ECO4 grant:
Pension Benefit
The Universal Credit system
Allowance for Job Seekers
Allowance for Employment and Support
Income Assistance
Housing Assistance
Tax Credits (Child Tax Credit or Working Tax Credit)
Child Support
You must also live in the D-G council tax bands.
How to apply for energy efficiency improvements
The best way to check eligibility and apply for energy efficiency upgrades in your park home is to check with Residential Energy Services. Answer a few quick questions and we will get you started on your journey to reducing heat loss, living more comfortably and spending less on your energy bills.
