Are you aware of the benefits of improving your home’s EPC rating?

New research has revealed that the majority of British homeowners are unaware of what their home’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating is and that most do not understand the importance of finding out what the rating is. Learn about the implications from the study and discover the benefits of improving your EPC rating:

All domestic buildings in the UK must have a valid EPC, which is a document that outlines how efficient your home’s energy usage is. On an EPC, each property is rated from A – ‘very efficient’ – to G – ‘inefficient’ and is given an energy score between 1-92+. The report also offers details about actions you can take improve the energy efficiency of your home.

Yet, a new study by the Mortgage Advice Bureau has found that 64% of people are currently unaware of their EPC rating. This could suggest that a large number of homeowners may be unaware of shortfalls in the way their home is using energy and could be missing out on opportunities to improve their energy efficiency.

The research also found that a third of respondents who knew their EPC rating had investigated it after hearing about friends or family members reducing their energy bills after making improvements to their home’s EPC rating. And 27% of people who were aware of their EPC said they had looked it up in order to implement changes to improve the rating.

Why should you find out your EPC rating?

The government’s Heating and Buildings Strategy target is for all UK properties to have a minimum EPC rating of a grade C by 2035. It will also require landlords to raise their EPC to a C or higher by 2023.

There are many reasons why the government has set these targets – learn about the benefits of improving your EPC:

Reduce your energy bills

Making changes to your property that help improve your EPC rating can drastically reduce your energy bills. Your EPC certificate will outline recommendations for improving your energy rating specific to your property, including actions like:

Reduce your carbon footprint

Do you know that buildings create almost a quarter of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions? By improving your EPC, you can help reduce your carbon footprint and help preserve the planet.

Lower mortgage payments

You could become eligible for green mortgage deals with lower interest rates if you achieve a higher EPC rating.

Increase the value of your property

Demand is high for homes that are energy efficient and environmentally friendly, so increasing your EPC rating could also help make your property more valuable.

How do I improve my EPC rating?

According to the study, one fifth of people did not know which changes would make their home more energy efficient. Although the certificate can offer recommendations, it’s difficult for the average person to know which options will make the most significant impact. This is where we can help!

Arktek is a property services company who are experts in determining the most efficient energy-saving measures for your home. We specialise in the installation of heating systems and various types of insulation and can offer many services to help increase your EPC rating.

We can also assist with the process of receiving government funding and ECO4 grants for those who are eligible!

Get in touch to learn how we can help improve your EPC rating and to find out if you are eligible for funding towards energy-saving improvements to your property.   

2022 Year in Review

We’d like to thank everyone we had the pleasure of working with in 2022 and thank you to all our customers who took the time to leave reviews for us!

Here, we highlight a few of our favourite customer testimonials that we’ve received this year:  

“We’ve had our cavity walls insulated by Arktek and they have been a pleasure to deal with from the first phone call. Friendly and helpful staff on the phones and similarly friendly, polite and tidy installers. We had a delay to our install date due to a broken van, but great communication ahead of time and never had to chase them.”

-Rob, West Yorkshire

“Really pleased with this company, very professional. We had a boiler installation and underfloor insulation installed as part of the Eco scheme. Mark and colleagues were really professional and we were really pleased with the boiler installation. All engineers arrived on time, with courtesy calls from Arktek before every visit. I would really recommend.”

-Thomas

“Good availability for the survey and survey cost of £25 was taken off final quote. Quick and professional job.”

Suspended timber floor insulation in Newcastle

“Both admin staff and the workers were very helpful. It’s when something goes wrong you find out how good people are. A couple of panels came loose, but they attended promptly to put matters right with no quibble, just the same sunny attitude they’d had at the beginning, going above and beyond to be helpful. Work is good, customer service is good, and it’s a good price.”

Roof insulation in Newcastle

We wish you a very happy holiday period and thank you for your continued support and feedback this past year! We close for the Christmas period on Friday 23rd December 2022 at 4pm and we reopen on Tuesday 3rd January 2023 at 9am.

Arktek installs room in roof insulation, gas fired boilers, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation and smart thermostats. We also carry out EPCs, home improvements/renovations and landlord services such as gas safety checks.

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of ECO4 and LA Flex funded measures to help you save on energy bills.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you apply for funding for energy improvements in your home.

How do smart thermostats work?

Get better control of your home’s heating systems with a smart thermostat

Smart thermostats are devices which help you monitor how the temperature changes in your home and can allow you to control your heating from anywhere! Learn more about how smart thermostats work and how they can help you save money on energy bills:

Smart thermostats allow you to adjust your heating schedule based on factors such as outside temperature and desired room temperature in order to maximise the efficiency of your central heating system.

The devices can allow you to:

  • adjust the temperature setting from your mobile phone or tablet
  • set timers
  • adjust the hot water settings
  • automatically turn the heating off when you leave the house or allow you to do it from your mobile
  • see trends and patterns about your energy use

Some even learn your habits and automatically adjust your schedule so that it is optimised to heat your house more effectively.

Which smart thermostat should I choose?

Smart thermostats vary in shape and size and are made by a variety of manufacturers. Most work with electric, gas, LPG or oil boilers, including ones with hot water tanks.

Smart thermostats are comprised of two parts; the thermostat which detects your room temperature and adjusts the heating as well as the receiver which is wired to the boiler and allows the thermostat to communicate wirelessly with the boiler.

The Smart Thermostats we install include:

·         Hive Active Heating

·         Nest

·         Worcester Bosch EasyControl

·         Ideal Halo

·         Honeywell T3R*

·         Neomitis RT7+*

 

*Please note these models do not connect to your smartphone via the internet.

Arktek engineers can advise on the best smart thermostat for your house and can also help you determine if you are eligible for funding toward the purchase and installation of a smart thermostat.

Funding for smart thermostats

If you are in receipt of certain benefits, you may be eligible for funding towards the cost of installing a Smart Thermostat under the ECO4 scheme.

Eligibility criteria for Smart Thermostats under the ECO4 grant:

If you are a homeowner or private tenant, and you are currently in receipt of one of the below benefits, you could be eligible for funding towards the cost of a smart thermostat.  

  • Child Benefit (conditions apply)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

 

Arktek are proud installers of a wide range of smart thermostats. If you qualify for funding, one of our friendly engineers will attend your property to assess your current heating system and recommend the best thermostat for your property.

Arktek Engineers are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers who specialise in not only installing smart thermostats, but also can manage the full application process for getting funding for smart thermostats and other home energy improvements.

Simply get in touch with Arktek to get started.

Arktek celebrates our 7th Birthday!  

Arktek are delighted to announce that we are celebrating 7 years of trading this month!

Arktek was incorporated on 18th November 2015. When we first started supplying home energy improvements throughout the North East and Yorkshire, we only offered 2 measures, have since expanded to supplying 8 different measures and continue to add to our portfolio of services.

We now install room in roof insulation, boiler replacements/installs, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, solid wall insulation, underfloor insulation, smart thermostats, home improvements/renovations, and landlord services such as EPCs. We provide assistance to homeowners and landlords who wish to secure government funding for home energy improvements and we are dedicated to helping local residents secure funding under the ECO4 and LA Flex government schemes.  

In the past seven years, we have carried out nearly 1,500 cavity wall insulation installs & have installed over twice as many gas boilers, all across the UK!

We are also proud to employ a large team of long-term employees who work from our head office in Sunderland as well as on-site through the North East and Yorkshire. Our workforce started with 3 members of staff and has now expanded to over 25 dedicated employees!

We’d like to thank the Arktek team for their hard work and commitment, our suppliers for their contribution to our goals and growth, and our customers who help keep our business thriving.

The team is looking forward to celebrating our birthday on 18 November!  

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of ECO4 and LA Flex funded measures to help you save on energy bills.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you apply for funding for energy improvements in your home.

How to help reduce energy bills for elderly people this winter

A government scheme that provides funding for home energy improvements is available for UK residents on pension benefits – find out if your parents or grandparents qualify:

The media is rampant with warnings about the risks associated with living in a cold home this winter, with energy bills spiking and a cold winter predicted. However, many people may not be aware that a government scheme which offers funding for home energy efficiency improvements can provide vital help to a large number of people who qualify.

Elderly and vulnerable residents are more susceptible to discomfort and health complications from living in cold conditions.

The charity Age UK recommends that elderly people heat their main living area to 21C and the rest of their home to 18C, however, simply turning up the thermostat can be costly especially with the recent increase in energy prices.

Thankfully, there is funding available for the installation of insulation as well as smart thermostats and central heating, which can help dramatically improve the energy efficiency of a property; saving you money on your energy bills and making the property feel warmer at the same time!

Who is eligible for funding?

The ECO4 scheme provides funding to increase the energy efficiency of properties. To be eligible for this scheme you must be in receipt of an ECO4 qualifying benefit (see below).

  • Child Benefit (conditions apply)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit

People who are in receipt of the Pension Credit Guarantee Credit or Pension Credit Savings Credit often don’t realise when this is included as part of their pension – this may include your parents or grandparents!

How can people apply for funded home energy improvements?

Arktek is an installer of ECO4 measures and can assist with the entire process of securing funding and installing measures available for you or your family member’s home.   

The simple process involves:

  • advising on your or your family member’s eligibility for the ECO4 scheme
  • help complete and process the application for funding
  • conduct a free, no-obligation survey to determine the best possible energy saving measures for the property
  • install energy-efficiency measures to help heat the property and provide relevant certificates

Fill out our short form to find out if you or a family member qualifies for funding for home energy improvements.  

What are the benefits of underfloor insulation?

Did you know that your property can lose heat through draughts originating from uninsulated suspended timber floors?

Underfloor insulation can help to eliminate these draughts and is recognised as a cost-effective way of insulating your property which saves you money on your heating bills.

The team of engineers at Arktek describe the benefits of underfloor insulation and outline why we use Knauf Insulation products for underfloor insulation:

How does underfloor insulation work?

Draughts in your home can originate from the void between the ground and your suspended timber floor, especially in older homes. Underfloor insulation provides a barrier from the outside, keeping cold draughts out and heat in.

Underfloor Insulation is installed under your floorboards and between the joists of your suspended timber floor by securing mineral wool insulation in place with nylon netting.

Our chosen product for underfloor insulation is Knauf Insulation. Knauf Insulation is made of mineral wool, the optimum choice for insulating suspended timber floors because:

  • It provides the best combination of fire safety, thermal, and acoustic performance.
  • Mineral wool adapts to any slight imperfections in the substrate and knits itself together, eliminating any air gaps.

You should be eligible for underfloor insulation if you have timber floors, and if our engineers are able to access the areas between the joists and your floor.

Is there funding available for Underfloor Insulation?

Underfloor Insulation can save you up to £100* per year on your heating bill and you could be eligible for funding towards the cost towards the cost of this under the Energy Company Obligation (ECO4) scheme.

Find out if you qualify for funding for underfloor insulation this winter.

Understanding the changes to Carbon Monoxide alarm regulations

The Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022 have changed as of 1 October 2022. Here’s what you need to know as a landlord to comply with the new regulations:

The government has updated the regulations for carbon monoxide alarms in rented accommodation and new build properties. Private and social sector landlords are now required to provide carbon monoxide alarms in properties that have a fixed combustion appliance (excluding gas cookers).

The new regulations apply to all rented and new build properties in England, following in the footsteps from Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Landlords who do not comply with the regulations could face a penalty notice and fines of up to £5,000 from Local Authorities.

What do carbon monoxide alarms do?

Carbon monoxide alarms will project a loud noise similar to that of a smoke alarm when they detect carbon monoxide in the air around your combustion appliance. They are designed to alert you as quickly as possible to the fact that there is carbon monoxide in the atmosphere as the gas itself is poisonous and cannot be detected through sight or smell.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning include dizziness, feeling weak, headaches, being sick or having chest or muscle pain. If you are concerned that your appliance is leaking carbon monoxide or your carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, please contact the National Gas Helpline on 0800 111 999.

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and an installer of government funded measures that can help landlords and homeowners save on energy bills.

Get in touch to discuss how we can help you apply for funding for energy improvements in your home.

How can you qualify for funding towards First Time Central Heating?

The government’s ECO4 scheme provides funding for the installation of central heating systems in properties which have never previously had a central heating system and where occupants are in receipt of a qualifying benefit. Learn how to find out if you are eligible below:

Which properties qualify for funding towards First Time Central Heating?

To qualify for funding towards First Time Central Heating then your property must not currently have, or have ever had a wet central heating system installed (e.g. boiler and radiators). Often, properties which qualify are heated by electric room heaters, gas room heaters, or inefficient or broken electric storage heaters.

You can find out what type of heating system your property has by checking what the ‘Main Heating’ system is listed as on the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) for your home.

Who is eligible for funding towards First Time Central Heating?

Funding is available to both homeowners and private rented sector tenants. To qualify, you must be in receipt of a qualifying benefit for the ECO4 scheme or meet the criteria for the LA Flex scheme in your area.

Under ECO4, you may qualify if you are receipt of any of the following benefits:

  • Child Benefit (conditions apply)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Income Support
  • Income Based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
  • Pension Credit (Guarantee Credit)
  • Pension Credit Savings Credit
  • Universal Credit
  • Working Tax Credit

The criteria for funding under LA Flex varies by local authority, but you can rely on the expertise from the engineers at Arktek to advise if you qualify based on your location – contact us to find out if you could qualify under LA Flex.

What does funding for First Time Central Heating include?

Arktek can install two types of central heating system at your property, either:

  1. An Air Source Heat Pump system
  2. A Gas boiler system (please note: the property must have had an existing mains gas supply prior to April 2022 to qualify for this type of system).

The install also includes installing all the necessary pipework, radiators, and heating controls.

Arktek are a team of North East based Gas Safe engineers, accredited insulation installers, and a proud installer of ECO4 measures. Get in touch to find out if you qualify for funding for first time central heating.

How much could you save by installing different types of insulation?

With energy bills increasing even more rapidly than they typically do this time of year, many homeowners are looking for ways to reduce their spend on energy and gas. Investing in upgrades to your home can feel daunting and can be a significant expense, but some home energy improvements can save you a lot of money, both in the short-term and in the long-term.

Take a look at some statistics that can help you understand how much money you could potentially save by having different types of insulation installed in your home:

According to data from British Gas about average energy bills in UK homes, the average annual cost of energy bills as of 1 October 2022 is:

  • £1,712.25 for a 1-2 person home
  • £2,499.87 for a 2-3 person home
  • £3,492.90 for a home with 4-5 people

Based on these statistics, as well as the estimate that around 80% of energy bills are spent on gas and heating, our team has crunched the numbers to demonstrate the amount you could possibly save by installing wall insulation, underfloor insulation, or roof insulation.

Of course, this will vary slightly depending on the property type and your annual energy usage, but it can help give you an understanding of the potential savings – which can be quite significant!

It’s also possible that you could be eligible for funding for the installation of energy saving measures under the ECO4 government scheme – find out by filling in our helpful form.  

Get in touch with any questions about home energy improvements and to find out if you’re eligible for funding toward any measures to better heat your home and reduce energy bills.

Which type of insulation is best for my home?

Learn about the different types of insulation available to help retain heat in your home and find out if you’re eligible for funding towards the cost of installing these measures in your home.

Lack of insulation in your home can cause significant heat loss which means the cost of heating your home can be much higher than necessary. By installing insulation, you can increase the energy efficiency of your property and help reduce the cost of your heating expenses.

Learn about the different types of insulation available:

Solid Wall Insulation

You could be losing around 45% of the heat in your home through uninsulated solid walls.

Around one third of homes in the UK have solid walls – your property is likely to have solid walls if there is an alternating pattern of long and short bricks on your walls.

Solid wall insulation can be installed internally and involves insulating walls from the inside of the property by building a frame which is then filled with mineral wool insulation and boarded. The process requires all skirting boards and fittings to be removed from the walls for installation.

Cavity wall insulation

If your property has uninsulated cavity walls, you could be losing roughly 35% of the heat from your property through the walls.

Your property is likely to have cavity walls if the bricks are laid lengthways in an even pattern on the outside of your home. This is typical for houses built after the 1930s.

Cavity wall insulation involves blowing Thermabead insulation into the external walls of your home to fill the space between the inner and outer leaf of the wall. The bead insulation helps retain heat during the winter and also helps keep your home cool in summer.

Loft insulation

Insulating your loft or room in roof is another effective way of preserving heat in your home. A typical gas-heated home loses an estimated 25% of its heat through an insulated loft or room in roof.  

A room in roof is a habitable space in the attic of a property, often with a fixed staircase and dormer window. Room in roof insulation involves affixing insulated boards to the external walls, slopes, and ceilings of the area with any residual areas insulated using wool (similar to loft insulation).

When we install loft insulation, we use mineral wool insulation to cover the flat area between the joists in your loft, creating two layers of insulation for a total depth of around 300mm which helps to greatly reduce heat loss.

Underfloor insulation

You can prevent draughts and keep your house warmer by insulating ground level floors – about 15% of the heat in a room can be lost through uninsulated floors.

If your home has suspended timber flooring and enough space between the joists and the floor, you can benefit from underfloor insulation. The material used is mineral wool insulation and this gets attached under the flooring to help reduce draughts and reduce your energy bills.

Funding for insulation:

Arktek’s team of engineers recommend that all areas of your home should be insulated. The cost of having insulation installed varies depending on your property type and which type of insulation your home requires, but you may be eligible for government funding towards the cost of the install.

Find out if you qualify: https://www.arktek.co.uk/funding/.

We are proud to be able to assist with the ECO4 funding process to install insulation in homes in the North East and Yorkshire. Simply contact us to get the process started.